Axminster - Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust NDHT

Transcription

www.viewfromonline.co.uk
TOP sTORIEs
FROm ALL
THE OTHER
EAsT DEVON
TOWNs
From the editor’s chair
Councils should be held to account
AxmINsTER
Is this the end of
traders’ group?
AxmINsTER Chamber of Commerce chairman
Lisa Lyman has handed in her notice and warned
that the traders’ organisation may cease altogether.
Her deputy, Chris Tipping, is also stepping
down.
Mrs Lyman’s resignation was announced in an
e-mail to members on Tuesday of ;ast week, saying: “Although there is support for the projects I
set out, no-one is coming forward to help achieve
them.
“This has resulted in a joint decision of mine
and Chris Tipping (vice-chairman) to resign our
positions in January.
“We both feel passionately about the future of
Axminster Parish, the bigger picture of encouraging new business opportunities, increasing
employment and footfall.
“We are investigating ways to achieve these
and are happy to hear from anyone who would
like to be involved.”
She hopes to organise a big party to celebrate
the chamber’s 70th birthday in January, but
warned there might not be any more birthdays to
celebrate after that, saying: “If you would like to
see the chamber continue, maybe in a new format, if you have ideas or would like to know more
about being involved, please do not wait to be
asked.
“If no-one steps forward, then the chamber will
come to an end in January.”
Mrs Lyman, who is the proprietor of Apple tree
Galleries, took over as chamber chairman in
September 2013 and orchestrated an unprecedented shake-up.
Having worked for a chamber of commerce in
the United States, she declared it was time to either expand or fold altogether.
WEEKLY ANTIQUES
VALUATION DAYS
Thursday 20th November
Thelma Hulbert Gallery
Dowell Street, Honiton
10.00am - 1.00pm
Kennaway House
Coburg Road, Sidmouth
Including Jewellery Valuations
2.00pm - 4.00pm
For a no fee or obligation appraisal
All enquiries please telephone
01392 413100
Home visits available by appointment
St. Edmund’s Court, Okehampton Street,
Exeter. EX4 1DU
01392 413100
W: www.bhandl.co.uk
E: [email protected]
Follow us on Twitter: @BHandL
Tuesday, November 11th 2014 3
IN recent weeks our letters pages have been full
of strong criticism of our elected representatives,
especially those at county and district level.
some councillors have placed the blame for this
squarely at my door after I wrote in this column
that I could not remember a time when there was
greater dissatisfaction with local government.
some councillors, and indeed council officials,
believe a local newspaper should be supportive of
their activities at all time.
Having spent a lifetime in this business, including a short time in my home town as a councillor
(I was pretty useless but did manage to become
the youngest mayor ever at 34, a dubious honour
I still hold), I have never subscribed to the view
that the council is always right.
Any newspaper worth the paper it’s printed on
should hold local authorities and those who serve
on them to account, questioning their decisions
and not blindly towing the party line.
I have never been very popular among a certain
clique of councillors but that doesn’t worry me
unduly. If the editor of a local paper is universally
sEATON
popular, he or she is probably not doing their job
properly.
However, I’ve always tried to make up for this by
putting as much as possible back into the communities that our newspaper serve.
some of the comments on our letters pages have
been harsh but we defend the right of our readers to
express them.
my observations have generally been aimed at
district and county councillors, some of whom are
now professional politicians and will understand
and appreciate that they will always be in the firing
line. It comes with the territory.
I do have great admiration for anyone who gives up
their time to serve their communities, especially
those who sit on our town councils, a thankless task.
Axminster mayor Jeremy Walden makes a robust
defence on this week’s letters page of his fellow
councillors and I’m sure the readers of this newspaper will take on board what he says.
There is one other influencing factor here - next
may’s election. Let the juggling for favour begin!
u As expected there was excellent support across
Pulman’s Country for the numerous Remembrance services and parades held in our towns and
villages.
It was a similar story all over the country with
10,000 veterans marching past the Cenotaph in
London where the Queen was given a rousing
round of applause after laying the wreath on behalf of the nation at the Whitehall memorial.
Commentators said they could not remember this
happening before.
This was because London was on high alert for
possible terrorist activity and the Royal family,
politicians and other military and civil dignitaries
could well have been in danger.
Whilst such a risk was taken seriously, there
was no way any threat could stop the capital paying homage to the hundreds of thousands who
have made the supreme sacrifice for their country
over the last 100 years.
The British are made of sterner stuff.
Philip Evans
HONITON
OTTERY st mARY
Anti-flats petition Sports leaders
‘must speak up’
will not count
A 900 plus-strong petition urging councillors to
use the Harbour Road regeneration site for
hotel/holiday accommodation will not count
when East Devon District Council (EDDC) considers alternative plans for 44 retirement flats.
The pressure group Positive Development For
Everyone in Seaton says a hotel/holiday accommodation will create jobs and boost the economy.
But plans for a 100-bedroom hotel were
scrapped this year and replaced with plans for
44 McCarthy & Stone retirement flats.
PDES member Steve Williams said: “When McCarthy & Stone first announced the plans there
was a lot of negative feeling and a lot of people I
know wrote to EDDC.”
But Mr Williams has since been told by EDDC
that early representations, including PDES’s 900
plus-strong petition,
will not count.
An e-mail from EDDC
to PDES, dated November 4th, said: “We cannot accept the petition
as a representation as
at the time it was submitted the application
was not valid or published for public consultation.
“The application was
not validated until October 30th and not published on our website
until the following day.
“As this representation was collated before any application
had actually been published for consultation,
unfortunately, the petition holds no weight
in planning terms and
cannot be accepted for
this application.”
McCarthy & Stones
has gone on a PR offensive, sending a
four-page,
colour
Sold for £3,500
mailshot to people as
far away as Axminster
to promote its plans.
Seaton Town Council
will make its recommendation on the flats
plan next week.
A RALLYING call has been issued to sports leaders to “stand up and speak up” for improved facilities in Honiton.
East Devon District Council is in the process of
creating a ‘strategy’ document for future pitch
provision, and the views of club representatives
could “make the difference” between winning
and losing funding for certain projects.
Sports leaders from around the town will be
gathering together later this month to spell out
what facilities they want to see in Honiton.
Gary Wills, Honiton Community College’s Finance Director, who has called the meeting,
hopes to install a 3G all-weather pitch on the
school grounds and also has grand plans for future sports developments at the college.
He said it was vitally important that representatives “stand up and speak up” now before EDDC
closes its consultation process.
“The playing pitch strategy (PPS) is a very important document that will direct what is going
to happen with pitches over the next 10 years,
and sports leaders will not have another chance
in the near future to have a say,” he said.
“Other communities have got the things they
want; Honiton needs to step up to the plate and
say what it needs. ”
Priority is to keep
all hospitals open
HEALTH bosses have insisted there are no plans
to close the town’s community hospital, despite
the imminent relocation of its in-patient beds.
A full house at Ottery Football Club grilled senior members of the Northern Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW
Devon CCG) on Thursday evening about its proposals to “transform” community services.
Under the plans, which are out for consultation
until next month, all 10 of the hospital’s in-patient
beds will be relocated to Honiton, Sidmouth and
Seaton, and its minor injuries unit closed, with
projected savings of around £560,000.
The proposal document does not contain any
plans to close any community hospitals, and
health bosses have said the measures have been
designed to protect beds for the locality as a
whole and ensure all its cottage hospitals remain
open.
But residents have grown increasingly concerned that the long-term future of the building
could be under threat if services are moved away
from Ottery.
Defending the proposals at the meeting, representatives of the CCG said they had to focus the
beds in areas where need was the greatest.
EAST DEVON BRANCH
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ALL OUR CATS AND KITTENS ARE FLEAD, WORMED, VACCINATED, MICROCHIPPED AND NEUTERED.
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These are only a few of the cats in our care who are looking for homes.
If you do not see the cat for you, please call 01884 277929
MARIGOLD (pictured) is a lovely, friendly 1 year old black & white girl who is staying
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HOLLY is a gorgeous 15 month old black girl who is also staying here....01392 461279
FLUFFY is a very friendly 5 year old black & white long haired girl who is staying
near Exeter .........................................................................................01392 811732
BUDDY is a very friendly but independent 8 year old apricot Burmese X boy who
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KARRIE is a beautiful and friendly 18 month old white & tortie semi long haired girl
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We also have several kittens waiting for safe caring homes, call 01297 21610
Neutering Advice and help with Neutering Costs for those eligible Call 01297 21610
IF YOU HAVE LOST OR FOUND A CAT PLEASE CALL - 01297 21610
6 Tuesday, November 11th 2014
AXMINSTER
Barbara McArthur
Devon cancer survivor helps
find cures for cancer
In 1999, mum of four Barbara McArthur discovered a lump in her
breast. In 2000 she had a mastectomy followed by six months of
chemotherapy. She is now cancer free and works as a receptionist in
Exmouth. Recalls Barbara,
CHRISTMAS EXPRESS: Alex Fromeyer, Ben Shefferd, Anna Fromeyer, Molly Shefferd, Charlie Fromeyer
and grandma Sandra Shefferd promoting Axminster’s Festive Friday on December 5th
Getting ready for Festive Friday
AXMINSTER’S Festive Friday enjoyed a free
publicity stunt when the grandchildren of one of
the organisers promoted the event.
Festive Friday will be held on December 5th,
from 5pm-7pm, and is considered to be the official start of the Christmas festivities in Axminster.
The event is organised by the Rotary Club of
Axminster, and it was the grandchildren of Rotarian Martin King who plugged the event when
they visited him.
On a trip to Pecorama in Beer, they told fellow
visitors that Axminster is the place to be on December 5th.
Rotary Club of Axminster press officer Bill
Coltham agreed and said of Festive Friday: “Father Christmas will be sleighing in during the
evening, Lyme Regis Town Band will be playing
and Axminster Musical Theatre will be leading
the carol singing.
“A full menu of Christmas activities and stalls
will be in place to delight all attending.
“Rotary invites you all.”
Residents are urged to
support beds campaign
by Anders Larsson
Axminster Hospital Action Group
[email protected]
AXMINSTER Hospital Action Group
(AHAG) has urged locals to sign a petition
and bombard health bosses with letters.
A statement issued by group member Barbara Nevitt
said: “In the fight to save in-patient beds at Axminster
Hospital, AHAG is urging people to sign the new petition which is now live and available in shops, businesses and in the square on market days.
“AHAG also urges people to write in protest to
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (which manages the hospital), and Northern, Eastern and Western
Clinical Commissioning Group and local MPs.
“If anyone would like help with their letter, Axminster Care Service has provided a dedicated phone line
on 07768663401.
“Also, the office in Charity Togs, South Street,
Axminster, is being made available between 2.30pm
and 3.30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays where a volunteer can give personal help.”
As reported last week, the group is chaired by
Axminster-based GP James Vann and was formed to
co-ordinate opposition to NEW CCG’s proposed
transfer of in-patient beds from Axminster Hospital to
Seaton Hospital as part of a cost-cutting drive.
The group is also objecting to Northern Devon
Healthcare NHS Trust’s separate decision to close the
Axminster in-patient beds over winter, starting in January.
AHAG has a full list of arguments against the NEW
CCG proposal, including:
u That Axminster is the furthest East Devon Community Hospital from the Royal Devon & Exeter
Hospital (27miles).
u Seaton is poorly served by public transport.
u Axminster is a fast-growing community and
there will be a greater need for medical beds and services in the next five years.
u Since its refurbishment, Axminster Hospital has
the best ward layout of any East Devon hospital, in
particular a high proportion of single rooms and en
suites bathrooms.
Anyone wishing to write letters of objection is
asked to address them to: Dr Alison Diamond, Chief
Executive NDHT,
Trinity Suite, Level 5, North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4JB.
Mr John Finn, Managing Director, Eastern Locality
Team
Northern, Eastern & Western Clinical Commissioning Group, Newcourt House, Old Rydon Lane, Exeter
EX2 7JU.
“I made my first Will when I went into hospital for breast surgery.
My father and all four of his brothers died of cancer. I survived
because of the treatment which research made happen. My
sister’s granddaughter has leukaemia and she is surviving now
because of research. That’s why I also included a legacy gift to
Cancer Research UK.”
Barbara used the Cancer Research UK Free Will Service to make her
Will with local solicitors. Bridport-based Cancer Research UK Legacy
Manager Ros Fry, comments “People who write Cancer Research UK into
their Will recognise the vital difference a legacy gift can make. People like
Barbara believe we will bring about the day when all cancers can be cured
and they are helping bring about that day sooner. One way we encourage
gifts in Wills is by offering to pay for a simple Will to be made with local
solicitors. We will pay for a simple single or mirror Will, or for a codicil to be
added to your existing Will. There is no obligation to leave a gift to us but
we hope you will consider doing so in order to fund research in the future.
I met Barbara at a Thank You Tea we organised for people who had let
us know they were leaving a gift in their Will to Cancer Research UK. Her
story is inspirational and we are very grateful for her decision.”
Our next Thank You Tea, featuring an update on our progress
from one of our scientists will take place in the Bridport Cancer
Research UK shop on 20th November. If you would like to join us,
or find out more about our Free Will Service or other local legacy
information events, please get in touch on 01308 423805 or
[email protected]
For more information on
how you could help
write an end to cancer,
visit cruk.org/legacies
Ros Fry,
Cancer Research UK
Legacy Manager
WRITE AN END
TO CANCER
Registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666) and the Isle of Man (1103).
Registered address: Cancer Research UK, Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London EC1V 4AD
LETTERS
Hospital proposals an ‘insult to local people’ Actions speak louder than words, Hugo
n THE Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) are
currently holding a consultation process over the future of Ottery St Mary’s Hospital, which is due to end
on December 12th.
It seems impossible to obtain any costings at all relating to the reasons for proposed cuts in hospital beds
and the minor injuries unit. While stroke and winter
beds are anticipated to be based at the hospital for the
coming months, this does not take away the continuing serious danger to the future of our hospital.
Bearing in mind considerable financial contributions were made to the hospital over recent years by
the local community, to have no way of knowing
what figures, if any, the NEW Devon CCG are working with is an insult to local people.
I can only assume that either no consideration has
been given to the cost implications at all, which suggests incompetence and negligence, or the costings
simply don’t add up.
If the latter, this means essential information to
allow the public to make reasoned responses during
the consultation process is being deliberately withheld. One way or another, it is an absolute disgrace.
The Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee has
the power to look into the provision of health services
and scrutinise how well the council and its partners
are meeting targets.
The next meeting, which is open to the public, is to
be held on Monday, November 17th at Exeter County
Hall at 2pm. I shall be very interested to hear what
this committee has to say.
EILEEN LASCELLES,
Whimple
Number of missed appointments ‘not acceptable’
n DURING the past couple of months I have been
quite ill.
During my time of illness I cannot speak highly
enough of the care I received from the doctors and
nurses at St Thomas Court, Axminster. It may have
been that I could not see my doctor every time, but at
least I got to see a doctor, which sometimes was twice
a week and possibly a phone call as well.
It saddens me greatly when, in the waiting room, I
read the missed appointments. Some weeks it was 40
to 50 then 60 to 70 and even 80. Surely some, if not
most, could ring in and cancel or get a friend or family member to ring in. Please try to let the reception
know, it may be that some body waiting could get that
appointment.
Sixty missed appointments is 10 hours. That is, I
think, not acceptable.
ROBIN CROSS,
Kilmington
Possible hospital closure causing anguish and heartache
n I READ the article about Axminster Hospital with
a lot of anguish and heartache.
My husband is dying of cancer and, when I am no
longer able to look after him at home, my GP has
arranged for him to go into Axminster Hospital. We
both felt very comforted by this as it is just a short
walk for me to be with him - and Axminster is such a
warm and friendly hospital. What now?
I can't really think about this - it is just another
heartache.
LEIGH COTTEE,
Axminster
Send your letters to Pulman’s View From Newspapers, Unit 3 St Michael’s Business Centre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset
DT7 3DB or email to [email protected]. Anonymous letters will not be printed except in special circumstances but full
addresses may be withheld at the writer’s request. The views expressed in letters are those of the authors and not necessarily
of this newspaper.
SIDMOUTH COLLEGE
n HUGO Swire has now publicly called for East
Devon District Council to complete its Local Plan.
Hear, hear, but why has he not spoken up about this
during the past seven years when the council's delay
has exposed the district to rapacious and inappropriate development?
Mr Swire also says that it is “absolutely crucial” that
East Devon retains its “beautiful landscape and character”. Once again, hear, hear, but is he not aware that
many areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs),
prime farmland and even public parkland have been
offered to developers across the whole district?
I have written to Mr Swire asking him to see for
himself (instead of accepting the word of EDDC's
chief officers) the purpose-built offices and the beautiful area of public open space at Knowle designated
to be built on in the Local Plan. He has not replied.
And did Mr Swire show any concern for the AONB
to be built on at King Alfred's Way, Newton Poppleford? And will he now state unequivocally his position on the industrial estate on the AONB at Sidford
proposed in the Local Plan?
Politicians, in the run-up to an election, can be expected to say what they think the electorate wants to
hear, but actions speak louder than words.
MIKE TEMPLE,
Sidmouth
‘I hope CCG will see commonsense’
n SO, NEW Devon CCG have been plotting the run
down and closure of beds from our hospital in Ottery
in addition to the removal of the minor injuries unit
for some time.
A packed public meeting of residents at the Institute
received a piece of "red meat" thrown at them in the
form of a temporary stroke unit to be opened at our
hospital for just four months, before the decision is
taken to close our beds and minor injuries unit.
You will see I have referred to "our" hospital as
many residents subscribed to our hospital, our then
local doctors encouraged the very building of our hospital. Now the treason!
Along comes an unelected Quango, pleading
poverty and committing treason by threatening to
close the beds of one of East Devon's most modern
community hospitals. Oh, I forgot, after three months
consultation of course!
Dr Tim Cox was correct when he described CCG's
proposals as drawn up on the back of a fag packet, so
where is the best place for the fag packet? Not forgetting the gunpowder? Why under the CCG, right up!
I do hope three months has brought an element of
common sense to our unelected Quango, as with
18,000 extra prospective patients at Cranbrook,
RD&E and Ottery hospitals are going to need all the
beds our unelected Quango can carry!
Definitely an election issue Hugo! Hugo, are you
there?
TONY RUSSELL,
West Hill, Ottery St Mary
Won’t receive the same care if we’re sent elsewhere
n IN January of this year I was suffering a trapped
sciatic nerve and needed to go into hospital.
Dr Matt King had to fight to get me a bed as Exeter
wanted to send out some of their patients to our hospital. Dr King managed to get me a bed.
I spent a week at the hospital and was looked after
with excellent care. Dr King came in every morning
and did a bed round. I found this very reassuring. Our
own doctors would not be able to do this if our hospital was closed and we were sent elsewhere.
Also, we have a voluntary nail cutting service.
Honiton does not have this facility, they refer people
to Ottery St Mary Hospital. We need to keep our hospital open!
PAT STEVENS,
Winters Lane, Ottery St Mary
ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT
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18 Tuesday, December 16th 2014
JOBS & CLASSIFIED
Pulman’sViewJobs
MAKE YOUR Jemma Moore
ADVERTISING call 01297 446158
BUDGET GO FURTHER email [email protected]
Axminster Job Club
Every Thursday Morning - Methodist Hall, Lyme Road Axminster - All Welcome
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Public Notice
WOODSMAN/TREE PLANTER
NORTHERN DEVON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY TRUST
BOARD MEETING
To discuss consultation on whether to temporarily
move inpatient services at Axminster to Seaton.
Wednesday 7 January 2015 at 09.00am
Unit 1, Exeter International Office Park, Clyst Honiton,
Exeter EX5 2HL
Members of the public are welcome to attend
Further information and agenda papers:
www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/about/trust-board/
Contact: Ms G. Garnett-Frizelle on 01271-311830
e-mail [email protected] or
Mrs C. Luxton on 01271-322791
e-mail [email protected]
Also
Consultation meetings
The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is holding a
series of consultation meetings on the proposal to
temporarily move inpatient services at Axminster to Seaton
Axminster Hospital
Monday 22 December 2-4pm | Monday 29 December 2-4pm
Seaton Hospital
Monday 22 December 4.30-7.30pm
To make an appointment, please call 01271 322460
or e-mail [email protected]
The full consultation document is available on the Trust
website at: www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/consultation
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WAnTED if you have
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working order, with
operating
Manual.
£15.00. Ring 01404871465
sPoRTs’
Coaching
Coat,
knee-length,
wadded,
navy,
“Matchwinner” brand,
44” chest, vgc. only
£12.00. Ring 01404–
871465.
bREAD Maker “Prima
home bakery” with ins t r u c t i o n / Re c i p e
booklet. Excellent condition and working
order - £14.00. Ring
WANTED
Jazz, Soul,
Reggae &
Rock Lps
& 45s
will pay cash
& collect.
07832 943805
01404–871465.
DREss shirt (M&s)
with double cuffs,
standard
collar,
pleated front panels,
white cotton, size 17½
collar. Also, 2 pre-tied
bow-Ties, one midblue satiny type and
one black velvet. All
only worn once and in
excellent condition. All
three items for £7.00.
Ring 01404–871465.
ThREE large Coffee
Table books: John
Gould’s “birds of Great
britain” 1980 edition,
contains
fabulous
paintings,
£12.00.
Phone 01404–871461
ChRoniCLE of the
Cinema – 100 years of
the Movies, Dorling
Kindersley, 1995 edition, £5.00. Phone
01404–871461
RoThMAn’s Football
League
Players’
Brand New Double
Divan Bed with 10"
memory foam
mattress
Large storage drawer in
base, still in original
packaging. Never been
opened, price tag and
label still attached
RRP £900 Quick Sale
£189
and can deliver
Tel: 07730 498804
WANTED
Rolex and ex-military
watches wanted for
cash. Also Omega,
divers, chronographs
etc., any condition
Tel: 07779 622172
SOUTH WEST
Records – The Complete A-Z l946 - 1981”,
£5.00. All in good condition. Phone 01404–
871461
37" ToshibA LCD Flat
screen hD ready TV
complete with wall fixing bracket to suit. Excellent condition and
little used. £90 Tel.
01297 32095. Axminster
sony
DAV-s800
complete cinema surround sound including
amplifier and CD
player. Contains two
front, two rear, one
centre and one very
big subwoofer speakers. £35. Tel. 01297
32095 Axminster
bREADMAKER. Morphy Richards, As new.
£25. Tel.01297 631874.
sKi jacket (mens) size
Large,
blue/white.
Excellent cond £25.
seaton. Tel: 01297
598947
LADiEs jacket (south
Pole @ micro tech)
black size Med. Excellent cond. seaton.
01297 598947
WALLPAPER stripper
(electric) used a couple
of times, excellent
working order. £8.
seaton 01297 598947
WiRELEss keyboard
(boxed) and mouse.
£8. seaton 01297
598947
JACKET - red active
fleece (windproof) as
new. £25. seaton
01297 598947
MATTREss
topper
(king
size)
Duck
feather and down - recently cleaned. £40.
seaton 01297 598947
60 GAMEs, Zone 60,
32 bit interactive wireless gaming system
only used couple of
times. (boxed). £10.
seaton 01297 598947
AxMinsTER
hand
compound mitre saw,
unused £20 no offers.
Tel 01297 625267
bLACK
sAbbATh
greatest hits CD new
still wrapped ideal
xmas present £5
0129721825
EAsEL Winsor & newton Dart sketching
Easel new boxed £15
0129721825
RoyAL WoRCEsTER
oval plate / meat platter
36cmx31.5cm
decorative blue &
white patterned edge
VGC £12 0129721825
AynsLEy
Cottage
Garden strawberry
basket complete with
cream jug and sugar
bowl
VGC
£25
0129721825
5 JiGsAW puzzles all in
Vgc and lovely pictures
1000 pieces each £10.
Tel 07803835474
hEWLETT
Packard
printer black/white
bargain
£10.
Tel
07803835474
DininG Table circular
and 4 Chairs. bargain
£50. Tel 07803835474
CAsio CTK-200 Keyboard, 61 keys, with
music stand & power
supply. in box. £30. Tel
01404 46451
yAMAhA
PsR-170
Keyboard, 49 keys,
with music stand &
power supply. in box.
£20. Tel 01404 46451
KEyboARD gig bag.
L35” W13” D4”. £15.
Tel 01404 46451
KEyboARD gig bag.
L41” W17½“ D7” Maximum. £20. Tel 01404
46451
KEyboARD
stand.
QuikLok. £8. Tel 01404
46451
¾ GuiTAR 20020510
virtually new. in gig
bag. £25. Tel 01404
46451
GuiTAR Gig bag. Pure
Tone full size. £15. Tel
01404 46451
GuiTAR Gig bag. ¾
size. £10. Tel 01404
46451
MAnDoLin. Martin
smith. Very good condition. £70. Tel 01404
46451
bAnJo, 5 string G instrument by Marina.
Ready to play. £60. Tel
01404 46451
uKuLELE. Alic with
beautiful 3-D hologram front. new condition. Played twice.
With strap button and
gig bag. £50. Tel 01404
46451
uKuLELE. Gig bag. £5.
Tel 01404 46451
RECoRDER. by Kent,
Tenor. As new condition. £20. Tel 01404
46451
ACCoRDion padded
rucksack
gig bag.
(Music Room) suit 120
bass. £15. Tel 01404
46451
ninTEnDo Wii sports
& Resort. 6 games,
balance board. Excellent condition. boxed.
Rarely used. £50. Tel
01297 560784
ChAiR/bED, top quality, single sized, little
used, space needed.
Metal framed base
slides out to change to
bed, with coil sprung,
fire retardant mattress
plus padded chair
cover in terracotta
shade in strong upholstery material. £60. Tel
01404 822318 (Whimple)
MAhoGAny rotating
CD holder. stores 88
CD’s, very good condition. h 36cm. £15. Tel
01297 624095
AnTiQuE brass floor
lamp, new condition.
£25. Tel 01297 624095
MoToRCyCLE wanted
by retired local mechanic, something to
keep me occupied during winter months. Fair
price paid. Tel 01404
47388
booKs Arsenal story
by Tom Whitaker. Forward Arsenal by
bernard Joy. Football
year by Percy young.
soccer Tactics by
bernard Joy. Published
in 1950/1960. £10.00.
Tel 01404 43127 or
07506972928
box on by Eugene
henderson. £2.50. Tel
01404 43127 or
07506972928
My GAME by Lew
hoad. £2.50. Tel 01404
43127
or
07506972928
FREE CLASSIFIED LISTINGS OF ITEMS FOR SALE ARE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL [email protected] OR POST ONLY
Pulman’s Weekly News &View from
Axminster
Tuesday, November 18th 2014
PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY
ISSUE NUMBER 462 Est. 1857
Mayor backs down over boycott
of library support group
Twitter cartoon ‘insulting and degrading’, he says
Save our hospital beds!
THE petition to try and keep Axminster Hospital
in-patient beds open is gaining momentum.
Axminster Hospital Action Group has in excess
of 2,500 signatures on paper and more than 200
online signatures.
Campaigners have also erected a sign on Minster Green, urging people to sign the petition.
Dr James Vann, who leads the group, said: “We
must keep at it.
■ SIGNAGE: Norman
Copland, Peter Baulch,
Sooty Vann, James Vann,
Ann Veit, Gill George and
Mervyn Symes
“We are confident we can change the mind of
the clinical commissioning group.”
NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
is currently consulting on a plan to move in-patient beds in Axminster to Seaton Hospital.
The petition can be signed in various shops and
online at www.thepetitionsite.com/415/227/679/
save-the-beds-at-axminster-community-hospital/
by Anders Larsson
[email protected]
AXMINSTER mayor Jeremy Walden has
made a partial U-turn and watered down his
criticism after saying he would boycott Support for Axminster Library.
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He now accepts that what he deemed an offensive
cartoon suggesting two councillors “conducting an
adulterous, same-sex relationship” was not posted by
Support for Axminster Library.
Support for Axminster Library says the cartoon has
been misinterpreted and had no sexual connotations
whatsoever.
The drama started when a stern-faced mayor Walden
opened Axminster Town Council’s November meeting by declaring he was about to make a statement.
He told the meeting that he was full of admiration for
the group’s campaigning, but less than impressed with
a tweet.
He said: “My attention was drawn by a member of
the public to a Twitter posting.
“This was a cartoon with some script attached.
Whilst the artist is a very good caricaturist, this car-
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YOUR TOWN, YOUR NEWS...YOUR VIEW - across East Devon
Devon,
Dorset &
Somerset Series
of Newspapers
Part of Tindle Newspapers Limited
View 2
The ultimate leisure guide for East Devon
SPORT
Changes at Honiton CC
◗ VOYAGE OF THE VIQUEENS
Honiton prepares for invasion!
Pulman’s View
◗ THE WOmEN OF WOrld WAr ONE
incorporating
Pulman’s Weekly News
◗ S.I.d.S TO pErFOrm FATE ACCOMPLI
view from Axminster
view from honiton
view from Seaton
view from Colyton
view from Ottery St Mary
view from Sidmouth
◗ VINYl SATUrdAY
◗ lISTINGS
Diary Dates - Our weekly
round-up of events in the area
PAGES 23-25
Managing Director and editor
PHILIP EVANS
01297 446155
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Quotes of the week...
Deputy editor
JAMES COLES
01297 446155
Sports editor
HOWARD LARCOMBE
01297 446152
Chief Reporter
ANDERS LARSSON
Reporter
FRANCESCA EVANS
Reporter
JACK DIXON
01297 446154
Production Manager
JACKIE EVANS
Group Sales Manager
NATALIE EDMEADES
Deputy Sales Manager
JEMMA MOORE
Advertising executive
JENNA WELLMAN
01297 446141
01297 446145
01297 446158
WAr lETTErS: mary
Hyland of plantagenesta Family History put
together a display of
letters from the Great
War to mark remembrance day as part of
the ‘Words from the
War’ exhibition, launched to tie in with Honiton
Antiques Festival
BANGErS: Kevin Stratt
of K&m Butchers in Ottery St mary made the
British Sausage Week
competition regional finals in Bristol with his
spicy mango and chilli
pork sausage. Former
England rugby captain
phil Vickery presented
his certificate
FlYING HIGH:
Nineteen-year-old dominic
Turner from Uplyme has
started a new high tech
company - Air robot
UK ltd - providing surveying, inspection, surveillance and aerial
photography services
NEW SHOp: Beer businesswoman Emma Bolach has opened a new
flower and interiors
shop called ‘marjorie
Bloom’ in the village.
The shop will be open
six days a week, including weekends
01297 446147
Distribution
ALISON KING
01297 446057
Accounts
ANITA ROUTLEY
01297 446149
Dorset, Devon and Somerset
Series of Newspapers Limited
Unit 3, St Michael’s Business Centre,
Church Street, Lyme Regis,
Dorset DT7 3DB
Telephone
“
01297 631120
01297 446161
01297 446057
01297 631120
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
Websites
axminster-today.co.uk
viewfromonline.co.uk
Pulman’s view reserves the right to sell or use
any photographs submitted to this newspaper
unless otherwise notified
TheRe were a number of issues that we
said were not down to this council. Basically, we are finding ourselves being
charged for work we specifically said was
not down to us.
“We are being asked to pay for someone
else’s mistakes. I was appointed by this
council to oversee the build of the Beehive.
“Issues have arisen and I want to make it
clear they were not down to my incompetence.”
Deputy Mayor of Honiton, Councillor
John Zarczynski, speaks out over The Beehive as details of a ‘safety net’
loan taken out by the town council to
cover unxexpetced costs was revealed
I hAve been requested to withdraw my
statement, this I will not do.
“Despite its origins, the cartoon was offensive and insulting to a member of
Axminster Town Council, as well as a diversion from the issue at hand, namely
keeping and improving services at
Axminster Library.”
Despite a U-turn on his assertion that he
would now boycott the Support For Axminster
Library group , Mayor of Axminster, Councillor Jeremy Walden, is still angry over
the publication on Twitter of a cartoon ridiculing the situation he found offensive “
FEATURES
■ SPECIALS: homes & Gardens
– Pages 15-17
health & Wellbeing
– Pages 18 & 19
■ VIEW 2: Pages 23-25
■ PROPERTY: Pages 27-41
■ MOTORING: Pages 49-52
■ LOCAL SPORT: Pages 53-56
IN THIS
WEEK’S
PULMAN’S
VIEW
Lile Bluebell got caught out and had kiens. A mere
slip of a girl herself, she’d love to come and play at
your house!!
HONITON Cricket Club have announced changes to
some of the club’s key positions.
Firstly the club has a new chairman in Andrew
Lapping after Kim Slater decided to call it a day.
This made room for a new vice chairman which
was filled by Pete Matravers.
First XI Captain Rob Ingram will be at the helm for
a second season, but 2nd XI captain Kieran Conway
decided not to stand. So their new man in charge is
former long time captain Andrew Lapping.
The new chairman thanked his long-standing
predecessor and is looking forward to the challenge
ahead, he said: “Firstly I would like to thank Kim on
behalf of everyone at the club.
“She has been a major part of our club for the last
15 years and has left her mark on the club in more
ways than one, no one should underestimate what
she has done over the years.”
Regarding his new roles Lapping said: “Admittedly
when going to the meeting I wasn’t planning to become chairman as Kim shocked us with her announcement.
“But now I am doing it I will give it 100 percent as I
have with my whole time at the club. I am excited
with the challenges ahead and am very driven to
take the club forward, both on and off the field.
“We have some fresh faces on the committee and
along with our members we will look to move things
on."
"As for the captaincy, it was my plan to stand
again, after having a few years off from the job to
recharge I am now ready to help bring on the newest
crop of youngsters.”
Pulman’s
View
News from
across
East devon
EAST DEVON NEWS
Four schools form new trust focused New book recounts Dalwood during war years
on improving standards for children
ON Thursday, November 20th, Dalwood-born Valerie
Watkins will launch and sign copies of her book
“Dear Old Dalwood & District: at the Archway Bookshop, Axminster, from 10am to 12noon.
In the afternoon, she will present copies of her book
to students at Colyton Grammar School, her former
school.
“Dear Old Dalwood & District” is a unique, personal history of village life during the Depression,
WWII until 1960. It is full of pen drawings and photographs covering everything from ploughing competitions to the poignancy and significance of bells
rung during wartime.
Tim Pritchard of Archway Bookshop, said: “This
book is full of charm. I am astonished by Valerie’s
amazing memory for people and places and the way
she brings these to life through her writing. This is
not simply a lively and affectionately personal account of Dalwood life, but a beautifully illustrated
ring-side view of the passing of a way of life.”
Author Valerie, formerly Valerie Lawrence of Andrewshayes Farm, Dalwood, is a keen amateur genealogist and historian. Now 80, she was a librarian
before marriage and four children.
She said: “My book aims to capture the early spirit
of Dalwood through the turbulent war years and to
give a comprehensive account of the huge changes
that happened in Dalwood and all over the country
after the war had ended.”
“Dear Old Dalwood & District” is available for the
discounted price of £9.99 until Christmas at the Archway Bookshop or from the Dalwood Community
Shop and Post Office.
Lyme Bay Storage
Fosseway Park, Harepath Road, Seaton, Devon EX12 2WH (next to Lyme Bay Auctions)
FOR SALE OVER 11,000 CASES OF WINE
■ FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE: Staff and children of the four local primary schools forming the Acorn
Multi Aacademy Trust
FOUR East Devon primary schools have joined toby Ofsted as a good school but we received a letter
gether to create the new Acorn Multi Academy from the Department of Education last week inTrust.
forming us that we were in the top five per cent of
Mrs Ethelston’s in Uplyme, St Andrew’s in schools nationally for the Year 1 phonics check.
Chardstock, Axminster Community Primary This is outstanding.
School and Marshwood Primary School have con“Now we want to be recognised as outstanding
verted to academies and have formed the Acorn in all of our teaching and learning and the goverMulti Academy Trust, which came into effect from nors believe the best way to achieve this is to join
November 1st. The schools will leave their respec- with other good and outstanding schools to contive Local Authorities, Devon and Dorset, to be- tinue this drive for even more improvement. This
come a free-standing group of schools directly is why we are joining with colleagues at Mrs
funded from central government. Representatives Ethelston’s, St Andrew’s and Marshwood to form
of local people will be directly responsible for the the Acorn MAT where excellence will be the main
quality and development of the education of local
driver.”
children.
Andrea Rice, executive headteacher and CEO of
Whilst the four schools will operate under the
the
Acorn MAT, added: “Since the federation of
umbrella of the Acorn Academy Trust, each will
maintain its own distinctive ethos and the parents Mrs Ethelston’s and St Andrew’s we have seen
are reassured that the identity of the three Church standards continue to improve significantly, and
of England schools and the one community school this year both schools have achieved well above
will be carefully preserved through the oversight the national averages in reading, writing and
maths. We have also been able to provide extra opof their individual governing bodies.
This exciting opportunity brings the four schools portunities for the children through specialist
into a highly effective, close knit, educational or- teaching in areas such as art, music, philosophy,
ganisation which brings enjoyment and success for German and Forest Schools.
“The Acorn Multi Academy Trust will give us
the pupils and satisfaction and professional develeven more opportunities to improve outcomes for
opment for all the staff.
Tony Harvell, headteacher of Axminster Com- children in all areas of school life by working with
munity Primary, said: “Our school is recognised a wider group of schools with a similar ethos.”
We have over 11,000 cases of wine to clear from a major
insolvency practitioner all at
£18.50 for a case of six (£3.08 each) inclusive
To include: Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz,
Montepulciano, Valpolicella, Pinot Grigio plus rose, Nero.
Also Prosecco (Italian Champagne) only £37.00
SALE RETURN FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
OPEN: Every Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm,
Thursday 20th, Friday 21st November 9am - 5pm
Saturday 22nd, Sunday 23rd November 10am - 5pm
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01297 22007
Next Auction
Monday 24th November
10.00am
‘Urgent and necessary’ measures
to address CCG’s financial situation
THE Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG)
has announced “urgent and necessary” measures
to address a worsening of its financial situation.
Patients about to undergo routine surgery must
fulfill certain criteria. Last year, the CCG returned
a £14.5million deficit, known as a control total,
and predicted the same for this year. But its confidence in meeting this at the end of the current financial year has gradually declined as the situation
has become clearer; in short, demand for services
is outstripping what it can afford.
Rebecca Harriott, the CCG's chief officer, said:
“We must act to protect essential services through
our busiest winter months and ensure that care is
there for our patients when they really need it.
“The CCG has already begun to implement a series of measures designed to improve efficiency in
the system and encourage patients to contribute to
improving their own health outcomes.”
These new measures include the following:
● Requiring morbidly obese patients to lose
weight prior to routine surgery
● Requiring smokers to quit for at least six weeks
prior to routine surgery
● Introducing criteria-based approval for routine
procedures such as hernias, botox injections and
cataracts
● Reducing unnecessary consultant-to-consultant
referrals
● Suspending treatments where there is little or
poor evidence of outcomes
Ms Harriott added: “These measures bring the
CCG into line with similar organisations in the
NHS. However, they are not enough. The CCG is
working up a series of measures to prioritise those
patients most in need, while at the same time, increasing efficiency in the wider system – and the
CCG itself.
“Our clinical chairs (who are family doctors) and
managing directors are now busy working up proposals, in collaboration with NHS England and
others.”
General Sale over two floors
Furniture, Collectables, Antiques, China, Ceramics,
Artwork, Vintage items and Household Goods
Viewing Days: Thu 20th / Fri 21st Nov 9am - 5pm
Sat 22nd/ Sun 23rd Nov 10am - 5pm
Morning of Sale from 9.00am
Contact us for Valuations and Part/Full House Clearances
Harepath Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2WH Tel: 01297 22453
www.lymebayauctions.co.uk• [email protected]
LETTERS
Looking for information before we What’s holding up the Local Plan?
make any decision on “our” hospital
■ OTTERY St Mary people have been working
closely with “our” hospital right from the time almost
150 years ago when Mrs Gilbert Eliot came to the
town and worked with local GP Dr Whitby to set up
Ottery’s first Cottage Hospital.
In those days, of course, it was more what we would
recognise as a care home with an attendant GP than a
modern healthcare facility with its inpatient beds, outpatients and day-cases, teams of trained nurses, physiotherapists, X-ray, pharmacists, dementia assessment
and care, and all the other services that we demand
in 2014.
Since the hospital moved in 1994 from a cramped
Victorian town centre building to its new purposebuilt site with ample car-parking, room for expansion,
bus stop right outside, and 24 beds in modern warm,
clean wards, Ottery people have put more than
£1.4million into our hospital to provide additional
support and resources as the needs of patients and
their families have changed. Perhaps more importantly, people have given thousands of irreplaceable
hours of voluntary service with everything from running the hospital shop to re-staining the garden furniture so that patients have somewhere to sit and
recuperate in the Devon sunshine.
And now we’re at a point of change, perhaps even
more fundamental then when our hospital moved
from its original site in the town. Our GPs, the people
we trust without question in the consulting room, are
telling us that East Devon as a whole would be better
off with its in-patient beds concentrated in Exmouth,
Seaton, Sidmouth and Honiton; our hospital would
lose its beds and become a “health and wellbeing centre”.
Most of us know more about the day-to-day activity
of “Holby City” than we do about that of a community hospital, so it’s really hard to picture “our” hospital without in-patient beds. We’re told that people
over 85 need more support from the hospital system
than do any other age ranges, and here we have more
people over 85 than most other parts of the country
with the proportions set to increase, so that’s why Ottery should lose its in-patient beds.
Yet people under 85 – teenagers, young mothers,
the middle-aged, the only-just-frail elderly – need
hospital services too. And while no one wants to stay
overnight in hospital unless they really need to, when
that has to happen, the large city-based acute district
general hospitals are rarely anyone’s first choice –
through no fault of their own, they’re more like the
high-overheads mass-production factories of the
1970s than efficient, effective 21st century centres of
high-quality community-focused healthcare. What if
instead we had more community hospital beds, not
less?
So the League of Friends is looking for information
to help us make an informed choice. How do primary
care services work alongside RD&E and social services from Devon County Council? What do East
Devon people go to hospital for? What treatment do
they need, how long do they stay, how far do they
have to travel, how do they access social care and
support when they leave hospital, and, perhaps more
importantly, how can they be helped to avoid needing
in-patient medical intervention in a hospital in the
first place? What does it cost to staff and run a ward
for a year, in Ottery, in Sidmouth and in Exeter? What
actually happens at a “health and well-being centre”?
When we know the answers, we’ll make up our
minds. But make no mistake, just because we’re listening now and not shouting, that doesn’t mean we’re
not passionate about “our” town’s hospital in whatever form we need it to be. We just like to think first.
ADRIAN RUTTER,
Chairman, Ottery St Mary Hospital
League of Friends
The views expressed in letters are those of the authors and not necessarily of this newspaper
■ AS a resident of East Devon I am concerned that
the progress towards completion of a Local Plan by
East Devon District Council is painfully slow.
The latest progress report of October 21st makes for
depressing reading. The report does not even provide
a specific date for proposed adoption but vaguely
suggests that it will be late 2015. Even this vague date
of late 2015 is subject to a number of caveats - one
being that "major new issues do not arise and if plan
changes are appropriate they are not of a significant
scale or nature". Are we really in the position that we
still do not know if major new issues are yet to arise?
I wonder what planning inspector Anthony Thickett
thinks of EDDC’s progress. Despite an assurance on
August 22nd that he would be provided with a much
fuller update on the work programme within two
weeks of that date he did not receive anything from
EDDC for some eight weeks. If every deadline slips
in this way then the Local Plan will not be completed
for years at this rate.
The latest information revealed by the planning inspectorate at the end of October reveals that 60 per
cent of councils across the country have either an
adopted or sound Local Plan. Why is EDDC not
within this 60 per cent?
I do not believe that planning issues are any more
complex in East Devon than anywhere else in this
country. Why then have the Conservative leadership
at EDDC failed to ensure the completion of the Local
Plan unlike so many of their peers?
With no Local Plan in place, EDDC has very limited ability to control development within the district,
and this unsatisfactory situation must be rectified as
a matter of urgency.
COUNCILLOR JESSICA BAILEY,
Ottery St Mary
All these changes will make Seaton
a ‘better and more attractive place’
■ I AM writing with respect to the proposed overspill
car park next to the Underfleet in Seaton.
A month ago Seaton Jurassic broke ground. It’s still
early days for this exciting project but many people
never thought we would get this far. Seaton Jurassic
will bring many benefits to the town and will enhance
the quality of the area’s green space. Large areas of
what is currently sterile tarmac will be turned into
wildlife gardens and play areas.
Concern has been raised by numerous businesses
and residents that the car parking provision was being
reduced too much. As a result, the council has identified an area for potential overspill parking adjacent
to the Underfleet car park. Efforts will be made to
make the new overspill car park as green as possible
and we will explore the option of using a sustainable
surface material rather than the standard tarmac.
Any loss of trees will be more than compensated
for by the new perimeter planting with shrubs and
trees to complement the perimeter of the Seaton
Jurassic site itself. Even with this extra parking there
will be considerably more green space and less tarmac in the centre of Seaton than there is now.
Nobody wants to see areas of grass and trees turned
into tarmac, and it is entirely understandable that
those living nearby will have concerns. But I believe
this is a sensible compromise in a difficult situation.
I therefore believe we should not stand in the way of
the council's proposals.
The result of all these changes will, I believe, make
Seaton a better and more attractive place in the longer
term, but like any changes it will bring some discomfort and disruption in the short term. Those of us involved in the project will do all we can to keep this
to a minimum. I am grateful to all the residents of
Seaton for their patience, understanding and support.
HARRY BARTON,
Chief executive, Devon Wildlife Trust
LETTERS | CHURCHES
Shouldn’t be a battle between hospitals
■ I SHOULD like to reply if I may, admittedly a tad
late, to your edition of October 28th, which I have
only just had the opportunity to read.
Why should the issue of numbers of beds be a “battle” between two excellent local hospitals - Axminster
and Seaton? Are not both of them perfectly worthy of
being fully funded to continue giving the exemplary
service that they have always provided?
My mother was cared for in Seaton Hospital as an
in-patient in 1999 before she died from a double
stroke, and I can’t praise the nursing staff highly
enough for their level of care for her, while she was
there. My elderly father had two cataract operations
at Axminster Hospital in 2004/5, and although a day
patient, again the level of care was second to none.
Axminster resident Sandy Sinclair wants to know
why Seaton is preferred because it does not have an
all-round catchment area because of the sea. Perhaps
she would be happier if they offered an A&E service
to mermaids, or 10 per cent off to sailors? At least
Dr Slott seems to have rather more of a grasp upon
geometry.
This all started because just one senior nurse was
on duty in each hospital at any one time, when commonsense dictates that there should be two. If the
NHS was not top heavy with administrators, perhaps
they could afford to fund that. And speaking of which,
just who or what are the NEW CCG? Well, they say
that they are the NHS Northern, Eastern and Western
Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. Perhaps one
could be excused for asking just where does South
Devon feature in all this, although they do say that
Axminster and Seaton are included.
In addition, they state that “risk management is
everybody’s business”. A bold statement, but like
every Quango, not likely to be lived up to. The beds
of both hospitals need to be protected, and it is their
job to do so, else they will be held to account.
CHRIS STEPHENS,
Highcliffe Close Seaton
■ FURTHER to the letter from Ms N. Chance in
your edition of November 4th, I would make the
following points:
I married into a local, well-known and respected Spiller family, of which there are many in
this area. I am also a member of Axminster Town
Council.
Would the author of that letter please explain to
my family and the readers of your publication
what she meant by her comments about the
Spillers and to whom she was referring?
COUNCILLOR SUE SPILLER,
Axminster Town Council
Which Spillers were you referring to?
Investing in Seaton’s seafront should be priority
■ I READ with dismay about the ideas for sculptures at Fisherman's Gap.
We really must prioritise investing in Seaton's
primary asset, which is the seafront, and this is
all wrong.
If and when the cycle path is complete to Colyford, then we will be near to maximising the benefit of the other key visitor attraction, the
wonderful wetlands. However, vis-a-vis the
seafront, it is so 1950s!
Have a look at facilities in Poole Harbour or
Blackpool Sands in South Devon. This is what we
need. People want contemporary and more up-
market places to eat and drink whilst relaxing
and taking in the views of the sea and the cliffs.
Currently, there is absolutely nowhere to sit in
quality surroundings to enjoy a good coffee and
look at the sea. The best you can get is the view
of a roundabout and the visually moribund sea
defences. This is simply not good enough!
The natural assets that Seaton benefits from in
my opinion beat anything for miles around, so
let's ensure that the built environment and visitor
attractions support this.
Richard Anderson
(by email)
MANY will have mixed feelings this week after their reactions at the recent Remembrance services – if our
newspapers are any guide – one filled a supplement of
80 pages.
Now returning to local surroundings the scene for many
thoughts of the election of the first woman bishops – in
the Anglican Church to be at Gloucester, Newcastle or
Oxford.
Women bishops become the law during the present session of General Synod and local meetings have been
arranged for December 2nd and 3rd. The Crown appointments Nominations Committee expects action before the
start of 2015. One to be appointed is at Oxford and it is
felt that it will not be left vacant long; there is no shortage of able women to fill the posts.
In the meantime Archbishop Welby is completing a
visit to the province of West Africa, completing his last
leg of tours to Anglican Primates with the aim to express
solidarity of the work of the Anglican Church with the
work of Anglican Provinces. This trip included a visit to
the Primus of the Episcopal Church of Scotland.
All is not peace all the time. The Primate of the Peace
of the Church of Uganda has repeated calls for parliament
to reinstate the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was only
passed in February
The exact anniversary of Remembrance plans when
warfare no longer took place, was held in East Devon at
11am on Tuesday, November 11th when church standards
across the county were dipped and the Act of Remembrance was read, the young then returned to school.
Local events continue and several local groups recently
received cash donations from Axminster’s Virtue and Honour Masonic Lodge at their annual service.
St Nicholas’ Church bell fund has been greatly helped
by a recent bell fund talk.
St Paul’s Chapel in Honiton appears likely to be the
next venue of the Honiton Ukulele Group with a meeting
on Novmeber 20th, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
And now to Ottery St Mary – excitement grows over
the the Churches Together in Ottery display and others
are preparing their Christmas tree contributions for the
festival at the parish church. The Reverend Steve Weston
will be explaining in his introduction in the programme
just how and why these interpretations are important for
the church and our community to show what a celebration of what Christmas means. Do join us between November 26th and 30th. Refreshments will be available at
certain times.
The church is always open during daylight hours for
anyone to come in to explore, to pray and to enjoy the silence... except when it is Messy Church, which is not
Pulman’s View
from the
churches
With NIGEL SPELLER
very quiet!
A Christmas Bazaar will be held on November 29th
from 10am to 12.30pm in the Institute in Ottery. Do come
along to see what goodies you can buy and to meet a
wide variety of people from the town.
Coffee & Chat continues on Tuesday mornings from
10am to 11.30am where a growing number of people
come to socialise.
St Paul’s in Honiton is holding a grand Christmas tree
celebration from December 11th to 14th. Christmas
goods are welcome.
Darrell Holmes writes: “A week ago today we remembered the 100 years since the start of WWI. Churches
were crowded on Remembrance Sunday, as many nonchurchgoers marked this poignant occasion.
“Why are churches at the heart of this event? It is because the church is often called upon to mark a new birth,
marriage, funeral and events of national importance. It is
also because the words of the Bible point to a time of
hope when God will judge between nations and will settle disputes for many nations.
“‘Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will
they train for war any more’ (Isaiah ch 2 v 4). Churches
are the guardians of peace that will one day come on
earth.”
Shirley Ann Williams writes: “What should our aim in
life be? That’s a fundamental question if ever there was
one. One that we’re all bound to ask ourselves sooner or
later. And the answer is never going to be simple.
“But part of it – and an important part – will be found
in our Lord’s parable of the talents. The talent Jesus was
talking about was the biggest unit of currency at the time.
The metaphorical use of the word actually comes from
the parable, which is really stewardship. About the way
we develop the gifts that God has given us. Because we
do need to develop them – as Jesus makes clear. And not
just for our own benefit, but in the service of God and
our neighbour. And what a challenge that is!
4 Tuesday, December 2nd 2014
AXMINSTER
Temporary bed closure will
now go to consultation
THE decision to close in-patient beds at Axminster
Hospital for the winter season could be reversed.
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT)
has made a partial u-turn by suddenly introducing
a four-week consultation period, starting today
(Tuesday).
NDHT announced in October that in-patient beds
at Axminster Hospital would close from January
1st “to resolve significant safety risks posed by
having unsupported and unsupervised registered
nurses working on their own looking after up to 10
patients”.
It was stressed that the decision was separate to
The Paper Shop
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Council set to scrap
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EAST Devon District Council looks set to
abandon plans to relocate to SkyPark, near
Exeter, and instead go back to the initial option of Honiton.
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NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s proposal to permanently transfer the Axminster in-patient beds to Seaton Hospital.
NDHT was expected to issue a statement as
Pulman’s View went to press, and a spokesperson
confirmed it would include the announcement of a
four-week public consultation on the winter closure
proposal.
The spokesperson said: “The proposal still stands
but we have heard the concerns and taken stock.
“There will be a consultation about the temporary
move.”
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No decision has been made, but officers will recommend EDDC’s Cabinet and full council to reverse the
SkyPark plan and instead focus on a move to Honiton.
The proposed U-turn was sparked by a supermarket
chain reducing its offer for EDDC land at Heathpark,
Honiton
An EDDC spokesperson said: “Marketing of Heathpark began last year and the highest value commercial
interest came from a supermarket operator.
“The offer price negotiated at that time was attractive as part of the funding package to relocate to SkyPark, but the supermarket reduced its offer in line with
a new business sector model.
“The reduced offer makes a sale of the site no longer
attractive.”
EDDC’s Cabinet will meet tomorrow (Wednesday)
before the new proposals are put to full council on
December 17th.
An EDDC statement said: “Whilst Skypark has
been the leading contender as the relocation site, the
council was very clear that no decision was going to
be made on the final location until all the facts and
figures were known with other key pieces in what is
a complex jigsaw slotting in to place.
“Instead, recommendations to Cabinet are to retain
the council-owned Heathpark site in Honiton and potentially combine East Devon Business Centre with a
new headquarters. This will allow existing tenants of
the business centre to remain.”
EDDC wants to leave Knowle because it is deemed
outdated and essential repairs alone would cost in ex-
By Anders Larsson
[email protected]
cess of £1.5 million.
But the Skypark proposal was heavily criticised in
many quarters, one reason being its location on the
edge of the district with poor or no public transport.
Mayor of Honiton Councillor Peter Halse welcomed
the proposed switch to Honiton and said reducing the
size of council premises was a “twenty-first century”
move.
He added: “We do not need monster offices with
people behind desks. Thankfully the council has realised that the ideas it was working on are hopelessly
out of date.”
‘King’s Ransom’
Although opposed to Skypark in the first place, East
Devon Alliance chairman Paul Arnott showed no enthusiasm about the news, saying: “EDDC has spent a
king’s ransom on the pipedream of moving to Skypark, and been stunningly rude to anyone who tried to
point out the folly of moving our district’s HQ to the
outskirts of Exeter.
“Our council tax is not safe in these people’s hands.”
About marketing of Knowle and Manstone depot,
an EDDC spokesperson said: “A mix of proposals
were received, which contained variations on residential, retirement and/or care and extra care communities
whilst retaining the public park. “All proposals were
based on the removal of existing buildings at Knowle
(whilst keeping or re-provisioning the bat roost).
“A range of matters still need to be explored before
selecting a preferred bidder but once selected, it will
be for the developer to enter into discussions with the
planning authority to explore proposals.”
Chamber may fold in January
AXMINSTER Chamber of Commerce
could fold as early as January next year, the
month in which it will turn 70 years old.
Despite a well-attended meeting on Tuesday November 25th, nobody came forward to express an interest in becoming chairman when the incumbent,
Lisa Lyman, steps down.
It was agreed that the chamber would not be able to
operate without a chairman, so an Extraordinary General Meeting has been called for Tuesday January
27th.
Unless a candidate has come forward by then, the
chamber will either suspend operations for a year or
close down altogether.
It was last month that Mrs Lyman and her deputy,
Chris Tipping, handed in their notices.
They did so because not enough members have
come forward to offer active support for a set of projects. Mrs Lyman, who is the proprietor of Apple Tree
Galleries, took over as chamber chairman in September 2013 and orchestrated an unprecedented shakeup.
Having worked for a chamber of commerce in the
United States, she declared it was time to either expand or fold altogether.
Her ‘revolution’ included a restructure of the chamber and the introduction of six teams - each with its
own leader and specific area of responsibility.
Mrs Lyman also opened up membership to nonbusiness people and severed the chamber’s ties with
the tourist information centre.
All members will be notified about the EGM, and a
venue will be decided when it is known how many
intend to attend.
AXMINSTER
Mayor thinks NHS is building case against
hospital staff by using fake reporter
ceived a most unusual phone call
from a Mr Ian Martin, working for
The Guardian.
“He explained that he realised
that staff were embargoed from
speaking on the record to the
press, so could I give him details
of what this individual’s [the senior clinician] views were?
“I explained that I could not. I
[email protected]
was suspicious. He then asked for
ployment at risk.”
about proposals for the hospital.
this person’s e-mail address.”
Mr Walden was highly critical of
Referring to this meeting, he
Mr Walden did not comply, and
NDHT at a recent public meeting said: “A couple of days later I resaid: “I subsequently found out
that no one called Ian Martin
works
for
The
Guardian.
“I suspect, but have no
proof, that I have been subject to Regulation of Investigative Powers Act 2000
(RIPA), which allows public bodies to request phone
and e-mail records of individuals with only the permission of a senior police
officer.
“This act, intended to
thwart terrorism, has been
widely abused by public
bodies.
“It was used over 8,500
times last year by non-police bodies alone.
“Some people are playing
■ Grants totalling £2,000 have been presented to worthy causes by axminster Carnival. representatives
dirty in this campaign, and
of 12 worthy causes met with carnival officials at axminster Inn on november 25th for a cheque
we must be ever vigilant.”
presentation evening. Carnival committee member ron Jones said: “We would like to thank members of
The Guardian does have
the public, and others, who donated on carnival night. Many thanks to you all.”
a freelance columnist
The cheques were presented by axminster Carnival 2014 queens Jasmine Voysey and Megan Herbert,
named Ian Martin, although
princess Jessica richards and mini-princess ruby Pridmore. Cheques were presented to: The rotary Club
it is unlikely that he would
of axminster, axminster scouts, Karizma Majorettes, arC Counselling, axminster Guildhall, axminster
choose to write about NHS
United Charities, axminster rainbow Playgroup, FOrCE, axminster Youth Club, The Project, Chardstock
issues in Devon.
Youth Club, axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre
A Guardian spokesperson
by Anders Larsson
said: “If the Mayor of Axminster
believes he has been contacted by
someone impersonating a Guardian journalist he is welcome to
raise the matter with us so we can
look into it.”
A spokesperson for NDHT
didn’t comment directly on the
mayor’s theory, but said: “We are
aware of the statement given by
Councillor Walden to Axminster
Town Council.
“We have been, and continue to
be, fully committed to working
with the local community and our
staff affected by the temporary
changes to in-patient services at
Axminster Hospital.
“We continue to encourage our
staff to speak openly about the patient safety reasons for the
changes and raise their comments
or concerns with us.
“We have also encouraged our
staff to participate in and contribute to NEW Devon CCG’s
consultation on community services. Equally, we have taken steps
to ensure the community feel welcomed to provide their views on
the temporary changes, and have
held weekly drop-ins.”
Further information about the
proposals can be viewed by visiting http://bit.ly/1ty1ay5
● See page 4 for the latest
on the temporary proposals
Advertiser’s Announcement
22
SALCOMBE ROAD
AD
INTS RO
ALL SA
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MILL ST
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15th November - 24th December
15
14
For further information visit
www.sidmouthindieshops.co.uk
19 20
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EAST ST.
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SIDMOUTH Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that the Sidmouth Christmas Independent Shopping Challenge is running again for the second year.
Last year was so successful that this time an additional
7 shops / businesses are taking part.
The challenge was launched on Saturday 15th November and runs until Christmas Eve.6 The purpose is
to encourage people to shop locally and support their
independent shops, ideally all year round, but particularly at Christmas. For every £1 that is spent in town
between 50-70p will stay in the local economy, supporting the traders, giving jobs to local people and business
to their local suppliers.
Sidmouth has a wonderful variety of independent
shops and taking part in the shopping challenge will
hopefully lead to some people visiting some of these
participating shops for the first time.6 It is designed to
be fun with incentives for children and adults alike.
To take part, all you have to do is shop in 10 (out of
the 27) participating shops collecting a bauble sticker
each time.6 When the tree is complete, children can earn
a certificate and small gift.6 Adults completing the challenge can enter the draw to win £200 to spend in Sidmouth shops!
Shopping with local independent businesses mean
that not only will they get to know you and your shopping habits but they will be able to provide a service
that chains are simply unable to supply.
It is a misconception that local independent shops are
vastly more expensive than chains or shopping online.
Think about what you might spend in travelling and
parking in a city or relying on the postal system for
something you’ve bought online.6 It’s deeply satisfying
to know that you have supported your local shops.
So, enjoy your Christmas Shopping more by shopping
this year in your local independent shops.
More information can be found on the website:
www.sidmouthindieshops.co.uk
27
RADWAY
LL S
T.
Sidmouth’s
Christmas
Independent
Shopping Challenge
RUS
SE
AXMINSTER mayor Jeremy
Walden says he might have been
targeted by an impostor seeking
contact details of local hospital
staff.
He suspects that a person who
claimed to be a reporter with The
Guardian was actually an NHS official trying to build a case against
dissenting hospital staff.
Councillor Walden revealed details of the encounter as he addressed Axminster Town Council
on November 10th.
He told those attending: “We
must all know someone who
works at Axminster Hospital and
is employed by Northern Devon
Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT).
“As such they are, under the
terms of employment, not allowed
to discuss the current proposals
with anyone outside the NDHT.
“To do so would render them liable to immediate dismissal for
gross misconduct.”
The mayor said he had worked
closely with a person, who is a
senior clinician with NDHT, on a
totally unrelated project, namely
that of relaunching the town’s
youth club.
He explained: “I have, bearing in
mind the above, been most studious to avoid discussing the hospital situation with this individual
as I have no desire to put their em-
10
Join in the challenge to
shop in Sidmouth’s
lovely Independent Shops
and be entered
into the draw
to win £200!
26 9
8
NAD
ESPLA
E
E
NAD
ESPLA
Support your local
independent business!
1 - 4Homes
2 - Artisans
3 - The Chattery
4 - The Cheeseboard
5 - Cooks Corner
6 - Country Bloomers
7 - Daffy-down-dilly
8 - Dotty Home
9 - Emily’s Chocolates
10 - Fields of Sidmouth
11 - Flutterbys
12 - Gliddons Toymaster
13 - Haymans
14 - Maisie Daisy
15 - Overly Gorgeous
16 - Paper Moon
17 - Paragon Books
18 - Potburys
19 - Pure Indulgence
20 - Roly’s Fudge
21 - Sidmouth Jewellers
22 - Sidmouth Print
23 - Sidmouth Wines
24 - Sidsoft
25 - Taste of Sidmouth
26 - The Lantern Shop
27 - WV Fish Cycles
Supported by
Pulman’s View from
ROYAL YORK & FAULKNER HOTEL
S
I
D
M
O
U
T
H
Sidmouth Chamber
of Commerce
Molyneu(x)
FINANCIAL PLANNING
LETTERS
Lack of logical thinking in
closing down inpatient beds
■ “LOGIC lacking” - this was my first reaction to
reading a leaflet informing me that “Your Hospital
Needs You”.
It could have equally read “We Need Our Hospital”. Either way, Axminster residents will be
well aware that the axe is due to fall on the community hospital inpatient beds. It is suggested that
we should send a personal letter to a list of worthy
gentlemen, who it is thought might have possible
influence on the final decision. Frankly, this
sounds like a non-starter – apart, of course, from
contacting the Secretary of State for Health himself.
Instead, my letter is addressed to the ordinary
people of Axminster and those in the surrounding
area – in fact, the readers of this, their local newspaper, who should be persuaded to exert even
more pressure than hitherto in this predicament.
Whether any major political party would promise
in their manifesto to reverse any illogical decisions
is, perhaps, a far-fetched idea, but where in the future you put your “X” on a ballot paper does come
to mind if an offer should be made.
What puzzles many folk is how much logical
thought has actually been applied by the Clinical
Commissioning Group (NEW CCG) in coming to
a bed closure decision. Certainly we all have to accept that the present NHS financial situation is
dire, but is the answer really to be found in targeting Axminster inpatients, especially following the
costly hospital refurbishment four years ago?
Furthermore, Axminster has an operating theatre,
and physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and ultra
sound and mental health day units, which Seaton
Hospital cannot equally match. Where then is the
logic in moving beds to Seaton? And the mere
thought of Axminster folk, and many others, hav-
ing to travel over to Wonford to see a consultant
is enough to spark additional mental stress problems immediately caused by trying to find a space
in the Exeter car parks.
Sometimes circumstances demand using a car to
drop-off a patient unable to travel by a hospital
bus. Large medical buildings are constructed, but
what Wonford desperately needs never appears –
a multi-storey car park. Sadly, such plans never
seem to reach the maternity ward!
Perhaps the logical thinkers in charge need some
IVF assistance? Of course, in this respect, we are
blessed that many consultants are able to hold regular clinics in Axminster Hospital. They possibly
also enjoy having an excuse to escape into the East
Devon countryside but take a trip out on the Chard
road, with the construction of a new estate of
houses rapidly changing the countryside, and it
clearly highlights the imminent growth in Axminster’s population – so, lets close down the local
hospital inpatient beds! Is this logical thought?
One does question what meaningful experience
the members of the so-called NEW CCG actually
possess to justify the major decisions they are
proposingm which will so affect Axminster residents and the many local village folk? Do we
know the names of the persons comprising the
Clinical Commissioning Group? Perhaps they
should be widely published because, if their decisions are not based on justified logical thinking,
they should be prepared to face the music from
East Devon residents who will gain or suffer as a
consequence of their judgement.
BRIAN VAUGHTON
(by email)
Long history of Tory leadership in East Devon
■ I DOUBT “you could tie a blue ribbon to a pig
and it would get in” (“From the deputy editor’s
chair”, November 25th). However, it is not hard to
understand why the Conservative voting tradition
has persisted in East Devon - and it has little to do
with merit.
Long before 1834 Honiton borough was dominated by Tories or “friends of Pitt” and the establishment.
The reasons became obvious to all. Honiton Borough was both poor and among the most corrupt in
England with “a reputation for shameless venality”.
The potwallopers votes were literally bought and
sold to politicians by the town’s jobbing attorneys
and bankers such as Phillips Mules and Christopher
Flood.
For centuries the Lord of the Manor for Honiton
– whose title could also be bought and sold - not
only controlled grazing rights to meadow and pastures but also appointed the Portreeve (mayor) and
the returning officer. Only those with money and
influence, sometimes subsidised by government,
could afford to stand for Honiton. Even some of
these were bankrupted and the “Honiton Ghost of
a corrupt borough” – the title of Thomas Rowlandson’s infamous cartoon – cast its shadow over numerous elections until the Reform Act of 1867.
The Act was not a Tory gift but hard won by the
efforts of reformists (later by chartists), such as
Lord Thomas Cochrane who, at the Honiton election of 1806, publicly refused to accept “place or
pension”. Cochrane proved to be a radical and a
scourge of the establishment so the Tory spell on
Honiton seemed broken; a parliamentary website
refers to the election as the “dawn of English
democracy”, which may be a little ambitious.
Politics was not only Tory but male dominated.
Only in 1928, within living memory, did most
women win the vote due to the actions of another
person with who came to Honiton a century after
Cochrane – our famous suffragette Juanita
Maxwell Phillips. Some believe that if Mrs Phillips
had stood for parliament she could have become
our first non-Tory woman MP. But a century later
we still have a male dominated parliament and a
Tory dominated, undemocratic, House of Lords.
While one should not compare politicians to pigs,
the recent expenses scandal, like an earlier one uncovered by Cochrane, was referred to as “snouts in
the trough”. I plan to tell the story of “The dawn of
English democracy – the Honiton election of 1806”
to the University of the Third Age on February 18th
at the Beehive.
TONY SIMPSON,
Ashleigh Road, Honiton
Roundabout needed at A30 junction
■ HONITON is growing, no doubt about it... and
traffic (same as anywhere that grows) is also becoming more of a problem.
The main place this is a problem, and always has
been a problem, is up by the junction near the new
Aldi. Traffic coming off the A30 and heading into
Honiton or the industrial estate (Argos, Hombase,
Lidl, etc.) is building up, even more so now that there
is an Aldi there.
Most times I drive past it’s backing up half the way
between the junction and the A30 and sometimes all
the way back to the A30 due to lack of people being
let out to turn right towards Argos... it has always
been needed but now, some work to that junction
would definitely be a good idea.
A roundabout would be the cheapest, simplest and
most efficient way to solve this problem, would keep
traffic flowing smoother for all directions.
TIM WHITEWAY
(by email)
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The school has excellent facilities to match, including a science
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“I believe that the quality of
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Axminster
Tuesday, December 23rd 2014
Hospital beds: now it’s down
to ‘power of public’ reaction
by Anders Larsson
NHS bosses will look again at controversial proposals to permanently close in-patient beds at Axminster Hospital.
[email protected]
Former top cop at Rotary lunch
NINETY people sat down in the Guildhall for The
Rotary Club of Axminster’s Community Christmas Lunch.
Rotarian Bill Coltham said: “The reason behind
this annual event is to bring together the ‘movers
and shakers’ in the local community who give so
much to Axminster by their work for the many
charities and support organisations in the town,
and to formally thank them for their hard work
and commitment .”
Led by RotaryPresident Simon Dunn and his
partner Helen, the club welcomed former Chief
Comstable and Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Sir
John Evans, the Mayor of Axminster, Jeremy
Walden, Neil Parish MP, and Rotary leaders including the District Govenor of Devon, Peter
Bennett, and his wife Barbara, and Assistant
Governor, George Eamer and his wife Jan.
Rotary Club Members were welcomed from
Lyme Regis, Chard, Otter Valley and Exmouth.
Anger was rife in towns which stood to lose its inpatients beds as part of a NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group proposal to keep the number of
beds across the eastern locality at 66 but to be spread
over three sites only to save up to £500,000 a year.
But the financial benefit and other aspects of the
proposal were challenged.
At the end of the initial consultation period this
month, NEW CCG said: “We have received a vast
amount of responses and there have been requests for
further information by Devon’s Health and Wellbeing
Scrutiny Committee and others before decisions are
made.
“As a result, we will produce a supplementary document and additional information will be published
on January 5th and the consultation will continue
until 15 February 15th.
A spokesperson for Axminster Hospital Action
Group said: “We applaud the decision to extend the
consultation period.
“We thank all those who have written o the CCG as
that has played a major part in the CCG making this
decision.
“We now await the further information that the
CCG have promised us together with updated data as
to how they will be basing future decisions.
“Then it will be essential for as many people as possible to write/email again their updated views on the
future before the middle of February.
“The power of the public involvement should not
be underestimated.”
Consultation responses should be e-mailed to [email protected] or posted to: Eastern
Locality ,NEW Devon CCG, Newcourt House, Old
Rydon Lane, Exeter
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TOP STORIES
FROM ALL
THE OTHER
EAST DEVON
TOWNS
AXMINSTER
Now it’s down to
‘people power’
NHS bosses will look again at controversial proposals to permanently close in-patient beds at
Axminster Hospital.
Anger was rife in towns which stood to lose its
in-patients beds as part of a NEW Devon Clinical
Commissioning Group proposal to keep the number of beds across the eastern locality at 66 but
to be spread over three sites only to save up to
£500,000 a year.
But the financial benefit and other aspects of
the proposal were challenged.
At the end of the initial consultation period this
month, NEW CCG said: “We have received a vast
amount of responses and there have been requests for further information by Devon’s Health
and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and others
before decisions are made.
“As a result, we will produce a supplementary
document and additional information will be
published on January 5th and the consultation
will continue until 15 February 15th.
A spokesperson for Axminster Hospital Action
Group said: “We applaud the decision to extend
the consultation period.
“We thank all those who have written o the CCG
as that has played a major part in the CCG making
this decision.
“We now await the further information that the
CCG have promised us together with updated
data as to how they will be basing future decisions.
“Then it will be essential for as many people as
possible to write/email again their updated
views on the future before the middle of February.
“The power of the public involvement should
not be underestimated.”
SEATON
Substantial fall
in crime levels
POLICE in Seaton have welcomed a significant
drop in crime over the last month, with the number of recorded incidents plummeting to less
than half the average for November.
Officers documented only 12 crimes last month
– three of which were committed by the same
offender.
The statistics show a substantial decline when
compared to the average November crime count,
with police typically logging more than double
the number of offences recorded last month.
Reporting the latest figures to town councillors
recently, PC Stephen Speareitt revealed that
crime had been cut by half since October, with a
drop of almost a third compared to the same period last year.
He said: “Seaton saw the second lowest
monthly crime total for November and is down
from a peak of 40 in 2005 – it’s also the second
lowest monthly total this year.”
The incidents that were recorded included three
cases of criminal damage, with car tyres slashed
on two occasions.
Seaton Hospital and the Axe Yacht Club were
both targeted by thieves in recent weeks, with
one case of sexual assault recorded towards the
end of the month.
Tuesday, December 23rd 2014 3
HONITON
Hundreds facing
Christmas alone
Interesting year ahead...
THIS is our last newspaper before Christmas
which gives us the opportunity to take stock of
the year - and to thank all our readers and advertisers for their continued support.
It has been another tough one for the local
newspaper industry with hardly a day passing
without a announcement that long established
newspapers were closing with loss of jobs.
But there is some light at the end of the tunnel with the Exeter-based Express & Echo,
where I started my career, having gone from a
daily newspaper to a weekly, but now planning
to come out twice a week in the New Year.
And as I revealed in last week’s column, our
parent group, Tindle Newspapers, continues to
buck the trend with the acquisition of several
titles during the year and the recent launch of
four new community newspapers in central
London, which I have fronted and which are
being produced at our local production hub.
From my point of view, it’s been an exciting
few weeks but I have had to step back from my
editing duties on Pulman’s View to concentrate
on the London papers.
For East Devon it’s been another interesting
COLYTON
year with the intended EDDC move from
Knowle creating many column inches before
the recent announcement that the new local
government base for this area will now be in
Honiton and not in SkyPark near Exeter.
Many welcome this move but are aghast that
it has cost the ratepayers of East Devon
£700,000 to get to this position.
With an election now just four months away,
local politics is getting interesting. I recently
wrote in this column that I could not remember
a time when there was so much dissatisfaction
with local government. Come May, those who
are so disillusioned wiill have the chance of exercising change through the ballot box.
It’s going to be the most interesting election
for some time and if the jungle drums are anything to go by, there could be some big changes
in the offing.
We look forward to covering this and all the
events in East Devon in 2015 - in the meantime
I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a
great New Year. I can’t wait for 2015, I am going
to be granddad - at last!
Philip Evans
OTTERY St MARY
Bid to slow down Hospital: No news
traffic in Colyford until February
PARISH councillors have said that speeding drivers are likely to be the main cause of potential accidents in Colyford and they hope to introduce
some kind of traffic calming measures to ease
the problem.
The issue of speeding traffic along the A3052
was raised when councillors reported on a meeting held with owners of Colyford Post Office and
butchers. The Mayor of Colyford, Councillor
Howard West, previously raised concerns that
customers parking outside the shop on a verge
alongside the busy A3052 were blocking the
view of those exiting Seaton Road and would one
day cause an accident.
Councillors met with owners of the post office
and butchers recently to discuss the problem, but
agreed that speeding drivers were more of a concern than those parking on the verge.
Councillor Robin Pocock reported: “It was generally agreed by councillors at the site meeting
that nothing could be done about parking around
the post office. The owners were concerned that
the main potential cause of accidents was people
speeding through the village.”
Councillor Pocock suggested a solar-powered
speed monitor be installed on the A3052, which
would flash at drivers going more than 20mph,
despite the speed limit through the village being
30mph.
“The lower you set it the more likely people are
to slow down,” he added.
Council chairman Andrew Parr commented:
“We need to press for some sort of traffic calming
coming down the main road from the church.”
He suggested that the matter be considered
further at one of the council’s regular traffic
meetings with county council representatives.
Councillor Stephen Real suggested putting in
place a temporary reduced speed limit when
children from Colyton Grammar School were
walking to and from the school, when he believed
the traffic to be most dangerous.
Some councillors argued that the speed limit
should be reduced to 20mph permanently, while
others suggested a speed bump may be of benefit.
Speaking on the council’s decision not to prevent parking outside the post office and butchers,
Councillor Real commented: “We certainly couldn’t justify killing off two local businesses just to
put in double yellow lines.”
HEALTH bosses have confirmed that they will not
make any decisions about the future of Ottery St
Mary Hospital until February at the earliest.
The NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
(CCG), which has outlined its intentions to remove
the hospital’s in-patient beds and close its minor
injuries unit, has extended its public consultation
period into the new year.
The NHS body now says it has an “open mind”
about shaping its plans for the future.
A stakeholder focus group will also be set up to
examine the evidence and work closely with the
CCG to find a “way forward” for community hospitals in East Devon.
Over the last three months NHS bosses have
been inundated with letters of concern from Ottery residents, fearful that the removal of key
services will signal the future closure of the
town’s hospital. But the CCG has now given an indication that it will look again at the controversial
proposals, which spell out plans to move services
to fewer locations in the district.
HUNDREDS of elderly people in Honiton will face
Christmas alone this year, and residents have been
urged to look out for neighbours set to spend the festive period away from loved ones.
A leading retirement developer has warned that increasing numbers of older people in rural communities are spending the holiday season on their own.
And a national charity has joined bosses in a preChristmas rallying call to urge the community to remember its elderly residents this year.
Martin Young, Regional Managing Director for
Churchill Retirement Living, which houses residents
at Honiton’s Holyshute Lodge, said loneliness was a
growing problem for older people living away from
their families.
“Last year, 300,000 older people spent Christmas
Day without seeing friends or family – and this year
the number is expected to rise to almost 500,000 [nationwide].
“We know first-hand how very real the issue of
loneliness in later life is, as many of our purchasers tell
us it is one of the reasons they chose to move to a retirement development.”
Shocking statistics revealed in Churchill’s ‘Generation Guilt’ report last year suggest the problem is
widespread.
■ Congratulations to the winner of last
week’s ‘Spot The Turkey’ competition Mrs
Marshman of Sidmouth, who will receive a
Christmas meat hamper
Pulman’s
View
News
from
across
East
Devon
EAST DEVON BRANCH
SAUSAGE (pictured) is a very friendly 3 year old tabby & white boy who
is staying at our foster home in Aylesbeare.......................01395 233494
BOUNTY is a gorgeous 18 month old tabby & white boy who is staying
near Exeter........................................................................ 01392 811732
HOLLY is a lovely, friendly 16 month old black girl who is staying in
Poltimore..............................................................................01392 461279
MAGGIE is a very affectionate 9 year old tortie & white girl who is staying
in Bradninch.......................................................................01392 881424
KARRIE is a beautiful and friendly 18 month old white & tortie semi long
haired girl who is staying in Seaton.................................... 01297 21610
DIME & DOLLAR are lovely 6 month old white & tabby girls who are also
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NEWS
Tuesday, December 23rd 2014 5
Santa at St John fayre
SANTA and his helpers
welcomed visitors to St
John Ambulance’s
Christmas fayre in
Axminster.
The fayre was held in
United Reformed Church in
the afternoon of Saturday,
December 13th.
Axminster unit fundraising
lead Mark Ellis said prior to
the event: “We are raising
funds for our local St John
unit to help with running
costs and repairs and also to
buy new valuable equipment.
“We have many stalls selling fantastic gifts at great
prices.”
Summing up after the
fayre, he said: “It went really well,
and we raised £264.
“A big thank you to everyone
who turned up and supported us
- and to Linda Ellis for organising
90 per cent of the fayre.”
Solicitors’ festive boost for Marie Curie Cancer Care
SCOTT Rowe Solicitors’ Christmas draw
tickets raised more than £650 for this year’s
chosen cause, Marie Curie Cancer Care
(Axminster and Seaton Fundraising Branch).
The company sold tickets during three
weeks, including at festive gatherings at offices in Axminster, Lyme Regis and Chard.
A cheque for 658, 49 was handed over to
fundraising branch founder member Sandy
Sinclair in the Scott Rowe’s Axminster office
on Thursday December 18th.
Vanessa Web, of Scott Rowe Solicitors,
said: “A big thank you to everyone who supported the draw, we do appreciate it.
“We are looking forward to see you next
year.
Mr Sinclair added: “We are very grateful,
they are a very good crowd.”
Mr Sinclair got involved with setting up
the group because of “the wonderful treatment” his wife received in her last days from
a Marie Curie nurse.
He then attended two Marie Curie conferences in London, and this resulted in the formation of a local breanch.
Anyone wishing volunteer with the group
or arrange fundraisers or make a direct do■ CHRISTMAS GIFT: Richard Lewis and Vanessa Webb of Scott
nationr can call him on 01297 33655.
Rowe presents the cheque to Mr Sinclair (middle)
Christmas fair raises £450
for dementia sufferers
AROUND 100 people attended a Christmas fair at
Axminster Hospital, which raised nearly £450 towards equipment for the Conybeare and Willow
centres for older people with dementia and memory problems.
The event, held on Saturday December 13th, included hand-made Christmas gifts, decorations
and produce, mince pies, mulled wine, a raffle,
tombola and a performance by St Mary’s Primary
School Choir.
Support worker Sam Over said: “The fair went
very well and a good time was had by all.
“The school choir was very good and delivered a
lovely performance of songs from their nativity.”
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LETTERS
‘Omnipotence is a cause for concern’ ‘We must accept reasonable compromises’
■ THANK you for printing my letter, which appears
to have upset some very sensitive local councillors
whose responses were expected.
It is the usual tack of local councillors to distract the
readers away from the real problems in Axminster
and with EDDC planning and enforcement. That
doesn't surprise me, as that is always my experience.
I wasn’t suggesting the Parrs, Spillers and Hulls
were related to one another and my point is made well
on page 17 of the following document if they fancy
getting at what I meant http://bit.ly/1E7Y2k9
Can I put things more simply then? Perhaps could
councillors explain why the problem of the eyesores
in the middle of such a pretty town is so unresolvable? Is this because the owners of the eyesores want
to leave them untouched until they gain value, and are
these owners well known socially to local councillors? This is just a guess but worth a thought.
I imagined the whole idea of involvement in local
government was to listen to public concerns and deal
with them seriously. Isn’t that what councillors are in
the job for? I have no confidence that this is ever the
case. This is indeed due to my own “empirical” evidence if you like.
I think people should also care that someone at the
top of EDDC on such a high salary is not accountable
to anyone. I notice the responses didn't deal with that
issue. Such omnipotence is a cause for concern, don't
you think?
And for the record, I have no problem with beards!
Ms N. Chance,
Axminster
Council must be prepared for criticism
■ DEAR editor, you have every right to question what
councillors say and what actions they take; as a local
newspaper you represent the community in which you
serve to express concerns and actions that are taking
place in our community.
Those who hold higher council office have a duty to
inform the community and must be prepared to take
criticism if these actions are not in the public interest.
This high handed attitude of treating the voting public
with utter contempt not only flows from
town/district/county, the same contempt can be seen at
Westminster. I do have experience of this contempt
when I served as a town councillor for Exmouth Town
Council. Many of the decisions taken by councillors
were their own view points/or that dictated by their political parties which were not in the community interest
long term.
I appreciate the difficult job that you have as editor,
it is good to know that there are still people as yourself
who will voice your views for the people in the community.
William Heath
(by email)
‘Widespread dissatisfaction’ with
EDDC’s senior management team
■ YOUR column of November 11th brought into
focus my own unease about the manner adopted by
East Devon District Council in conducting business.
Like you, I respect those who service their communities on a voluntary basis. I also know that there are
many people on the permanent staff of EDDC who do
their jobs well. However, I regret that I have little regard for those who make policy and executive decision
on our behalf.
Why should this be the case? Well, decisions are
made which seem, on the information readily available, to be difficult to understand and which appear to
be counter to the community’s needs. For example, I
still cannot fathom why EDDC want to relocate to the
far western boundary of our area. I would like to be
able to grasp the logic behind that intention.
Why has the Local Plan not been produced, when
will it appear, and what is the present and future impact
of the delay?
The BBC has reported today that EDDC has not
completed an agreement with BT for the installation of
high speed broadband. Apparently most other authorities have signed up; why not ours, and what does this
mean for broadband users who, like me, now have a
service which is so slow as to be unusable for many
functions?
These are but examples of what I perceive as a reluctance by the council adequately to inform us of its
thinking, and it would help enormously if they would
be more open about such issues. As a start, could you,
as editor of an important channel of communication,
invite the chief executive and/or council leader personally to provide feedback on issues that the public raise
through your newspaper? I would not want nor expect
them to comment on every issue; I am sure they can
judge where comment is appropriate. Alternatively,
you could suggest topics for reply.
It must be clear to EDDC’s senior management that
there is widespread dissatisfaction with much that they
do. It is likely that some of the negativity is unjustified,
but better communication would be of great assistance
in promoting a closer understanding between EDDC
and the community.
Mr P.D.M. John,
Dunkeswell
‘Now is the time to stand up and be counted’
■ WHAT a catastrophic job the NEW CCG and
NDHT are making of managing health services in our
area.
It appears that neither have any idea of the health needs
in rural areas nor even the needs of patients needing
hospitalisation.
Two years ago I was very ill after what should have
been routine surgery in the RD&E, and spent 11 days
in a coma in intensive care and another 17 days on a
ward at Wonford. Not the most wonderful time of my
life.
My wound would not heal and I was becoming very
weak. After much prodding and poking nothing
seemed to be improving and I felt they were giving up.
I was not thriving and was so far away from friends
that visitors were thin on the ground.
Eventually I asked if I could be moved to Axminster
Hospital as I knew they had the capabilities to deal
with my ongoing physical problems and the care skills
to help me deal with the trauma.
Finally, after a few days they told me a bed had been
secured for me in Axminster Hospital and I was to be
moved that afternoon. What joy! I would be in a caring
and loving atmosphere; I would be near my friends and
would have my wonderful GP (Dr Phil Taylor) to look
after me. After a couple of days of being disorientated
I slowly started to improve being cared for in a warm,
friendly environment where I was a person not a bed
number.
I was in Axminster Hospital for 28 days before being
allowed home with community nurses in every day for
five weeks to redress my wounds and hook up the
portable “vacs” machine. During this period, which included Christmas and New Year, Dr Taylor visited me
on 26 days with colleagues filling in on the two days
he could not make it. That is medical care to be proud
of. Not something to abandon when you want to save
a few pounds.
On the finance front I sympathise with your correspondent from Whimple in this week’s Pulman’s View
From (November 11th). Both individually and at public meetings the CCG and NDHT have been asked for
cost savings analysis without success. All sorts of numbers have been bandied about but no one can produce
a definitive analysis of what is being saved and at what
cost, nor have they given a detailed analysis, including
costs, as to how alternative medical care is to be provided.
I genuinely believe that if these changes had been in
operation when I was in need my survival would have
been in doubt.
Now is the time to stand up and be counted, the time
when the bureaucrats are not allowed to destroy a wonderful asset to the community.
No matter which hospital you are fighting for sign
the petitions and write the letters to the CCG and
NDHT. The sheer volume of public opinion might just
make
MRS ANN VEIT,
Musbury
The views expressed in letters are those of the authors and not necessarily of this newspaper
■ I AM not against change as such. I appreciate the
huge amount of work done behind the scenes by experts trying to work out the most effective, fairest and
economical way to run out community hospitals.
While we’d all like to achieve this, we must never
forget the human cost or those public spirited people
who generously raised huge sums locally to bring community hospitals into being and are prepared to continue to support them. Government policy may have
changed in favour of care at home but it is not unreasonable for fundraisers to expect care to be available
in their local hospitals. Now frail and old, some face
the prospect of losing the very precious benefits they
have provided for others. No wonder whole communities are upset.
Travel is a serious problem for both patients and visitors, especially the elderly. Public transport often involves inconvenient timetables, few adequate services
or none at all. It sometimes needs stamina for hanging
about at bus stops or many hours away from home. If
health care is not local, it may do more harm than
good.
Care in the home clearly has its place. But there are
potential dangers, including lack of timely and certain
communications. People behind closed doors may be
suffering in silence. What happens when a professional
carer doesn’t turn up? Is it really a cheaper option?
And what of the effect of this proposed reorganisation on staff recruitment and morale? Why a massive
restructuring when only parts need changing? When
will the expected saving exceed the cost of implementation? Is the government asking for the impossible
when it constantly changes to goalposts?
There is clearly a continuing need for clinics and
respite, palliative and rehabilitative care in our community hospitals, and care in the home must play its
part. If money is to be saved, we must all accept reasonable compromises. My heart goes out to all those
who are working to achieve this and to anxious patients.
Janet Lang,
Wessiters, Seaton
Honiton will not Apologies for alarm
‘grind to a halt’
■ “HONITON will grind to a halt,” avers Councillor
Ash, if the highways budget is cut back this winter
(Pulman’s View From Honiton, November 4th).
Of course Honiton won’t grid to a halt! What
alarmist, over the top tosh! This is exactly the sort of
hyperbole that will cause potential visitors to Honiton
to stay away.
I’m sure that the High Street, residents/retailers can
find a few minutes a day to clean away any snow, ice,
slush from the pavement outside their homes/shops ,
then this will go a long way to improving things , in
the event of there being budget cuts.
But as for “Honiton will grind to a halt”, I don’t
think so!
Sean McCrum,
Rosemount Close, Honiton
■ GOVERNORS and staff at Axminster Community Primary School would like to offer our sincere apologies to our neighbours for the distress
and disturbance to their sleep last week which
was caused by our alarm being activated and,
more to the point, for it continuing to ring for such
a long time.
In our investigation we discovered that, upon
our conversion to an academy on November 1st,
our details were withdrawn from the database,
without notifying us, which prevented the police
from contacting our key holders. Thankfully it
was a false alarm but this does not make up for
the distress it caused to a large number of people
in our local community.
Please be assured that we have put steps in
place to ensure that this does not happen again
and once again may we offer our sincere apologies.
AXMINSTER COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
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◆ AXE Vale Festival chairman Tony Benger (fifth from right) pictured with recipients of grants as a result
of the success 2014 festival
Festival hands out grants of £34,500
■ AXE Vale Festival closed the year by allocating
grants to worthy causes.
Grants totalling £34,545 were presented during
the recent AGM in Thomas Whitty House
Flamingo Pool was the big winner and took the
lion’s share (£20,000) of grants.
Other organisations received grants ranging from
£2,000 to £50.
Tel: 01404 41222
Death Notice
Robert Arthur
“Skip” Pitman MBE
Passed away peacefully aged 88 on Sunday,
December 21st 2014. Beloved husband to Nora,
dearly loved father to Colin & Shirley and Heather &
Howard, loving grandfather to Charlotte, George,
Robert and James. Will be sadly missed by all.
Funeral service to be held on Friday, January 9th
2015, 12noon at Holy Cross Church, Woodbury,
Axminster, followed by interment in Axminster
Cemetery. Family flowers only please but if desired
donations to Holy Cross Church, Woodbury, or
Parkinson's UK.
All enquiries to: J.F. Clarke & Son, Maryknoll,
Lyme Street, Axminster, Devon.
Tel: 01297 3268686
View Family
Announcements
LaHAPPY
ureN M21ST
oore
BIRTHDAY
ON THE 23RD DECEMBER
LOTS OF LOVE MUM, DAD
& BRAD XXX
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Alice Rose
28/10/1909 - 29/12/2007
A DEAR MUM & NAN
FROM EILEEN,GERALD,
ROB, JEN, ANDY & FAMILY
IN MEMORY OF A DEAR
Mum & Nan
Alice Rose
28/10/1909 - 29/12/2007
l o v e E il e e n , G e r a l d, Ro b ,
J e n , A nd y & F a mi ly
ROY LOOK
HAPPY 80TH
BIRTHDAY
ON THE 3RD JANUARY
LOVE ROZ & ALL THE FAMILY
Message.............................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Axe Vale Festival Ltd registered a total income of
£132,694 and a total expenditure of £134,474 for
the year 2013-14.
The committee consists of: President - Mary
Benger; chairman - Tony Benger; vice-chairman Elizabeth Stonex; secretary - Gaye Baulch; treasurer - Bee Painton.
The 2015 festival will be held on June 20th-21st.
A year of celebration in 2015
AXMINSTER Mayor Jeremy Walden is looking forward to celebrations as well as challenges.
In his New Year’s message, he said: “2015 marks
the 800th anniversary of Axminster’s Royal Charter
as well as of Magna Carta. We will be celebrating
and commemorating this in various ways through the
next 12 months.
“We will be reflecting on how the town has changed
over the past eight centuries, but particularly more recently, and we will be focussing on how in the next
few years how we will meet the challenges of growing into a medium-sized commercial centre instead
of a market town.
“Like many other towns in Devon, 2014 has presented its own difficulties, with threats to our library
service, our youth service and significantly to the
planned withdrawal of in-patient beds in our community hospital.
“We will not be giving up on these easily.
“These services are an essential part of the infrastructure of a town that is expected to grow by 50 per
cent over the next 10 to 12 years.
“They are, at the moment, a work in progress, but
we are ever hopeful that with Axminster’s renowned
community spirit, and with the empirical evidence we
can provide, we will come out of these battles with a
stronger town, fit for the 21st century.
“With local authority budgets continuing to be reduced, more and more of the community provision
that our citizens feel is essential for their well being
will fall on the town council and voluntary organisations.
“I believe we can rise to this challenge, but it must
also be realised there is only so much we and others
are able to do.
“Enthusiastic volunteers cannot always replace professionally-trained and qualified staff, and those in
charge of our District, County and Nation must be
made aware of this.”
Jerry Walden
Town Mayor.
Second vintage fair raises £650 for skatepark
A SECOND vintage fair in aid of Axminster
Skatepark Fund raised £650.
The inaugural vintage fair this autumn proved so
popular it was decided to stage a second one before
the end of the year.
It was held in Axminster Guildhall on Friday, December 19th, with plenty of stalls and some visitors
sporting period costume
As previously reported, there are plans to replace
the current skatepark at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre with a brand new, state-of-the-art £160,000 facility. The detailed plan was revealed in a blaze of
publicity in February, with Mayor Jeremy Walden
telling the assembled crowd it is a sign that “Axminster is going places”.
The skatepark steering group is in the process of
achieving charitable incorporated organisation status,
which will make it easier to apply for larger grants.
The new skatepark will bne dedicated to the memory of Tom Chubb, who died in a car crash on the
A358 at Musbury in 2012 at the age of 18.
Tom spent a lot of time at the skatepark, and the
steering group is made up of youngsters and adults
alike, including Tom’s mum Eve and his brother Ed.
Eve praised everyone who supported the second
vintage fair.
Tesco kiosk: ‘No harmful impact
on town centre’ says district
■ FROM PAGE ONE
A condition of the original planning application
refers to the net retail area of the food store, saying it
should primarily be used for “the purposes of the sale
of retail food and convenience goods and shall not,
except for 10 per cent of the net retail area, be used
for the sale of comparison goods or for any other retail purpose”.
There is no mention of the car park, but a condition
was implemented to “control the development in the
interests of protecting the viability of the town centre”.
The EDDC officer’s report, however, said: “It is
thought that the proposed kiosk on account of its limited scale would have no harmful impact upon either
the vitality or viability of the town centre.”
Councillor Walden said: “I think it is appalling that
the application was treated under delegated powers.”
There is no guarantee the outcome would have been
different if the application had gone to the Development Management Committee, but it would have
given everyone involved a chance to have a say during a public meeting.
Mr Walden added: “There seems to be little point
in the democratic process if the job is taken away
from the committee charged with doing that job.”
An EDDC spokesperson said: “Under the planning
process, it is a routine matter for an application such
as this to be signed off by the chairman of the Development Management Committee without reference
to the committee.
“This is because the recommendation from officers
to approve the application was not challenged by
ward members.”
NEWS
Royal title for community nurse Council set to press ahead
A SENIOR community nurse, currently overseeing community nurses in Axminster, Seaton, Ottery, Sidmouth, Honiton and Colyton, has been
made Queen’s Nurse.
Jane Watson was given the new title by The
Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) at its autumn
awards ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in
Kensington, London. The title reflects a commitment to high standards of patient care, learning
and leadership in community nursing.
Jane is a senior nurse for community nursing
for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. She is
the professional lead for the community nurses
who care for patients in their own homes and
other community settings across East Devon.
Jane said: “I am extremely proud to be awarded
the title of Queen’s Nurse. Our community nursing teams in East Devon do a fantastic job delivering high-quality nursing care for people in their
own homes and it is a pleasure to lead and develop them.”
Queen’s Nurses benefit from development
workshops, bursaries, networking and other opportunities. The title is given following an application process which includes feedback about
the individual from managers and patients.
Tytherleigh
BATHROOMS & KITCHENS
Sarah Garnsworthy, pictured right
with Jane, the
senior
trust’s
nurse for community nursing in
Northern Devon,
joined Jane in
earning the title in
London.
Dr Crystal Oldman, QNI chief executive,
said:
“Congratulations
to
our
new
Queen’s Nurses in Devon on their success. “The
Queen’s Nurse network is probably the most exciting professional development opportunity for
nurses working in primary care, and we look forward to working with Jane and Sarah as they
bring excellent care to their patients in the community.”
The awards ceremony was attended by more
than 200 people, including 80 new Queen’s
Nurses and senior figures in the nursing and
healthcare sectors.
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with ‘sensible’ relocation
EAST Devon District Council is set to press ahead
with revised plans to move its headquarters to
Honiton and Exmouth, after councillors backed relocation proposals.
Detailed plans for the move will be drawn up in
the new year, following the council’s surprise decision to abandon its controversial SkyPark project.
Councillors signed off the proposals before
Christmas, despite calls from Independent members - and a warning from East Devon MP Hugo
Swire - to delay the decision until after the local
and national elections in May.
Minority party councillors argued that residents
had been “kept in the dark” about the key facts,
and warned that it was reckless to commit to the
“risky” move ahead of the elections.
But having backed the move regardless, the path
now looks clear for the council to relocate to twin
sites in Honiton and Exmouth, after a deal to sell
its land at Heathpark fell through.
Staff are likely to move into the new offices in
2017 – a switch that is expected to cost around £10
million.
Council bosses say tax payers’ money will be
saved in the long term, with the alternative option
– refurbishment of the current headquarters at
Knowle in Sidmouth – costed at almost £16 million.
Council leader Paul Diviani said: “Relocation remains a priority and a means to face the future and
deliver the best for our residents.
by Jack Dixon
[email protected]
“Now that we have the support of full council we
can work towards removing ourselves from a
costly, uncertain and increasingly unpractical future at Knowle.”
It was revealed earlier this month that more than
£700,000 was spent laying the foundations for
EDDC’s SkyPark relocation, before a deal to sell
council land at Heathpark - crucial to funding the
move - collapsed.
Now the district authority is directing its efforts
towards a revised plan, to be paid for with capital
receipts and “prudential borrowing”, which it says
is the “sensible approach”.
Cllr Diviani added: “Remaining at Knowle keeps
us tied to old and inefficient buildings and fails to
make the best use of this valuable council-owned
asset.
“Refurbishment would cost the tax payer £15.9
million and quite simply, we don’t have that kind
of money. Relocation is our only option.
“A majority of councillors agree a combined
Honiton and Exmouth office base offers a sensible
approach involving new or modernised offices in
two locations. A smaller headquarters and an accessible presence around the district has been the
council’s aim throughout this process.”
The move has now been agreed in principle, but
auditors will examine all the figures before a final
decision is made.
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LETTERS | CLUBS
Development lorries Excellent healthcare in Seaton
IN June I had to move my parents to Seaton from Hertfordshire as my
leaving mud on road ■mother
became very ill.
WIDEST
CHOICE
ON THE HIGH STREET
■ IT is heartening to see that lorries leaving the
Dukes Way Betterment development in Axminster
are now leaving mud and clay in Weller Road, as
they have done for over three years in Dukes Way.
A problem shared is a problem halved. Still a
problem, though. I will not be taking my shovel up
there.
Roger D'Albertanson
■ AXMINSTER Hospital League of Friends
would like to thank staff and customers of Trinity
House for their continued support.
The latest collection from their boxes of nearly
£80 has brought the running total to nearly £300.
Axminster Hospital League of Friends
■ MANY thanks to all those who attended the ex-
cellent free concert given by the Exeter Cathedral
Choristers in the Sidholme Music Room, Sidmouth
on 19th November.
The bucket collection totalled £532! Thank you.
John McGregor,
Sid Vale Close, Sidford
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Enjoyable night
wreath making
■ I WOULD like to say a big thank you for a
most enjoyable evening me and three friends
had at Seaton Marshes doing wreath making
led by Penny and gang from East Devon’s
Countryside Team on Wednesday, December
10th.
The evening was brilliant and we hope, with
how busy it was, this will happen again next
year. Well done!
Kim Beviss and friends
I cannot praise the health care in Seaton enough. The doctors, nurses and
carers have been fantastic with nothing being too much trouble. The Seaton
nurses visit regularly and help us, as a family, remain able to cope with
mum at home.
The staff at Seaton Hospital are marvellous and her GP even visits the
hospital when she is having day treatment to see that all is going well - unheard of in Hertfordshire where you are lucky to see a doctor.
I want to say a huge thank you and pray that that someone in authority
see the sense in keeping these wonderful services in place.
Sandra Anderson,
Seaton
Thanks for supporting Lions
■ ON December 17th 1984 the Pulman’s paper helped me to form Seaton
& District Lions Club with 24 dedicated members.
In our 30th anniversary year, we have 28 members and, through your
paper’s continued support over the years and the generosity of local businesses, plus the people of Axmouth, Beer, Colyford, Colyton and Seaton,
we have raised more than £40,000.
The money we have raised has helped both our local communities and
national disaster funds. This year’s Santa float is heading for a record
amount and over £4,500 has been collected to date.
Once again, a sincere thank you to all who have helped in any way, for
your continued support, enabling the Seaton & District Lion’s Club to look
after those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And thank you to all our
retired fellow Lions and our wifes, plus Dee Byrne Jones, who allowed us
to collect the donations to our Christmas tree light memory appeal outside
her premises. Without their help we would not be able to help others in
need.
Should anyone wish to join the Seaton & District Lion’s Club, or just find
out more about our club’s activities, please call me, George Mabon, on
01297 21572. Season’s Greetings to everyone!
George Mabon,
Charter President, Seaton & District Lion’s Club
Phoenix Ladies explore genealogy
AT the December meeting of the Axminster Phoenix
Ladies Club, members were treated to a talk by Mary
Hyland of Plantagenesta, Honiton, on genealogy.
Tracing our ancestors has become popular in recent
years and, with the internet at our fingertips, it is much
easier to research and negates visiting record offices,
parishes and even graveyards, as in the past.
Mary also gave members a fascinating insight into
unusual names, such as Ostrich as a Christian name
of a Victoria Cornish family, or Ellen Step Forward
and another gem, Pocahontas Scroggins. Another
child called Almond became known as nutty slack
when he became a miner.
Other humorous names included Honour Bound,
Prosperous Guy and Orson Cart, the latter due to his
mother being an Orson Welles fan.
Bigamy was another interesting fact during the 19th
century when people were unable to divorce and remarry, with many men supporting two families and
naming any children with the same name to avoid a
mistake.
Following the talk, the chairman handed gifts to the
treasurer, Julia Walter, Penny Daglish who books excellent speakers each year and Stella Landeryou, who
organises the refreshments each month and thanked
them for all their hard work during the year. Members
very kindly reciprocated by making a surprise presentation to the chairman.
During the meeting, Jill Ruddick from the Tourist
Information Centre was presented with a £300 cheque
from the Phoenix Ladies Club for the invaluable help
the centre provides to visitors to the town. The TIC
received the most votes in a secret ballot for the club's
annual charity donation and continues the Phoenix
Ladies’ support of local charities and the vital services
provided within the community.
The next meeting of the Phoenix will be on Wednesday, January 14th at 2.30pm in the United Reformed
Church Hall, when guest speaker Fiona Dunster will
tell members all about the work of a local JP. Programmes for the next year will be handed out at the
meeting and subscriptions collected. Visitors always
welcomed.
U3A members meet for festive social
MORE than 80 members of the Honiton University of the Third Age (U3A) were welcomed by the
chairman Susanne Jones to the Mackerness Hall
recently for their Christmas social.
The entertainment began with young up-andcoming local jazz singer, Darcy Williams, who
transported her audience in song from places as far
afield as Ipanema to the moon, and then to enhance
the festive mood concluded her performance with
several popular seasonal numbers.
During the afternoon, members were invited to
guess the identity and usage of 15 strange and curious objects which had been kindly brought along
and displayed by Margaret Lewis from The Allhallows Museum. These ranged from wig curlers to a
Victorian skirt lifter and there were some very
amusing answers but the overall winner with most
correct was Helen Wale
To keep up the quiz theme, on each table was a
list of 22 cryptic clues, the answers to which were
all well-known biscuits. These were pondered over
during the course of the afternoon and the table
getting the most correct comprised of Judy Coreless, Pam Falkner, Mary Smith, Barbara Lewis and
Di Goldby.
After all that brain searching the buffet which
was served was extremely welcome and proved
the perfect conclusion to a very enjoyable afternoon.
Axminster
INSIDE YOUR
PULMAN’S
VIEW
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, November 4th 2014
ISSuE NuMbEr 461 Est. 1857
Action group is
formed to save
hospital beds
Help the Flamingo Pool
win £50,000 from the
People’s Millions
Fans protest over yet
another pitch delay
The Tigers were due to move into the complex,
FRUSTRATED Axminster Town fans are
by Philip Evans
which boasts two full-sized pitches, floodlights, junior
up in arms over yet another delay to the
facilities and superb changing and social areas in the
Tigers moving into their new £2 million [email protected]
autumn of last year.
complex in Chard Road.
developers Devonshire Homes, in exchange for a new
That deadline was extended to September of this
The club has given up its iconic ground at Sector
Lane, where around 70 new houses are being built by
stadium which will provide them with some of the
best football facilities in Devon.
year due to a number of problems relating to the
drainage of the pitches but the club has now been informed by Devonshire Homes that they cannot take
occupation until January because the drains have not
been connected to the main sewer.
Since vacating Sector, Axminster Town has used a
number of pitches in the area, including Ottery St
Mary, Feniton and Forton in what angry specators call
“roughing it”.
Led by Alan Beer whose family has long connections with the club, the fans say they have “had
enough” and staged two protests outside Sector and
in front of locked gates in Chard Road.
Afterwards they issued the following statement to
Pulman’s View: “We, the supporters of ATFC, feel totally let down by the actions of Devonshire Homes
over the building of our new ground and clubhouse.
“Axminster FC agreed to vacate Sector Lane as Devonshire Homes promised that we would only be
homeless for one season and that we would be in our
new clubhouse by November 2013.
“Devonshire Homes informed us that this was the
only way they could gain the required finances to enable the deal to go ahead. At the time that the club
made the decision to move it was incredibly difficult
Let down
*
m
i
sq
5. ces f
95 ro
pr
£1
The Axminster Hospital Action Group was
officially formed on Wednesday of last
week at a meeting at the Axminster Medical Practice.
The group, which will be chaired by local
GP Dr James Vann, will co-ordinate the opposition to plans by the NHS to close all beds
in Axminster Hospital and transfer them to
Seaton.
The decision has been vehemently opposed by residents since the Northern,
Eastern and Western Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW CCG) entered into a 12week consultation process to seek the
views of the public of the proposal to shut
down wards at Axminster Hospital.
In the meantime, another NHS body has
announced that the current ten beds at
Axminster Hospital, reduced from 18, will
close for the winter months in January due
to issues over the supervision of staff.
Local health officials fear that if the beds
are closed at Axminster other facilities will
TURN to page 4
Scott Rowe
For All Your
Legal Needs
Axminster
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AN action group has been formed
to fight for the retention of in-patient beds at Axminster Hospital.
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Axmins
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■ THUMBS DOWN Frustrated Axminster Town Football Club supporters, many of whom have served
the club for dozens of years, protest outside their former clubhouse at Sector Lane, now a housing
development
By Philip Evans
Musbury Road,
Axminster EX13 8TJ
Call us on 01297 33993
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■ LOCKED OUT! Axminster Town Football Club show their frustrations at the locked entrance to their
new ground in Chard Road.
Football club supporters hand out
red card to development company
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■ FROM PAGE ONE
for businesses to get money loaned to them by the
banks - hence why we agreed to this in an effort to
get a significant improvement in footballing facilities
for the town of Axminster.
“Part of the planning permission conditions for Devonshire Homes was that the football club would
have its new home by mid-2013. This clearly has not
been met. Why has the planning department at East
Devon not picked up on this? The planning permission can be viewed online.
“Our club took the decision to rough it for a year
with the thought that that a new clubhouse and
ground would be ours at the start of the 2014-15 season. The contract states that completion of the site
should have been completed by the end of August
2014.
“Devonshire Homes have still not completed the
clubhouse, nor have they yet completed the pitches there is still a ball stop fence to go up at the time of
writing.
“By not connecting the drains to the mains sewerage the football club cannot accept the clubhouse.
Devonshire Homes are contractually obliged to complete this before contract completion can be considered.
“Everyone at the club is fed up with not having a
home. Last week the club had to reverse their fixture
in a cup round, meaning another round trip of 100
miles.
“The contempt that Devonshire Homes have shown
to our club is not printable and many of us rue the
day we ever get entangled with Devonshire Homes.
“They are only interested in selling homes and are
not concerned about the community of Axminster or
complying with planning conditions - not a good
image. As far as we the supporters are concerned, it
is a red card for Devonshire Homes.”
Club chairman Ray Self, who has been the driving
force behind the project, said he and the committee
shared the supporters’ frustrations.
He said: “We want to be in there at Chard Road
playing football and enjoying the wonderful facilities. The frustration increases week to week because
we are not able to do that. It’s a great shame.”
A spokesman for Devonshire Homes said: “We are
working with Axminster Town Football Club under
contract and we are unable to comment on certain aspects of the work schedule.”
Not working in tandem
The fans’ statement also drew attention to a quote
from Devonshire Homes managing director Steve
Russell in August 2013 when he said the two sides
were working in tandem and anticipated the handing
over to Axminster Football Club by November
(2013) when they completed the first delivery of
homes by the end of the year at Sector.
The statement continued: “Houses at Sector Lane
have been completed and many have been sold an
occupied, which goes against the terms and agreement in the contract.
“Both sides have not been working in tandem. In
fact, for many weeks no work took place at the new
ground whatsoever. Building work, however, has
never ceased at Sector Lane and to date continues to
strive forward for completion without any consideration towards Axminster Football Club.
“This has left the club out of pocket from not using
the clubhouse at either Sector Lane or the new
ground and again highlights that Devonshire Homes
have broken the contract between the two parties.”
New petition to save hospital beds
■ FROM PAGE ONE
follow suit leading to the ultimate closure of the
hospital.
After the public meeting the action group issued the following statement:
“The group is made up of representatives of the
League of Friends, GPs, Axminster Care Service,
The Community Hospitals Association and members of the public.
“Following its first meeting held on October
29th, members of the public are being urged to
write to the Northern Devon Health Care Trust
and the CCG (commissioning Group) as soon as
possible.
“A new petition will be started in Axminster and
the outlying villages. This will be organised by
■ LIKE at many other schools, pupils
at Axminster Primary School concluded their harvest celebrations by
donating to a foodbank.
A lot of food was gathered at Axminster Primary School during the harvest
festival, and pupils and staff made sure
it came to good use by giving it to the
town’s foodbank, Canned Sunshine.
Photographed are some of the
helpers before delivery of the food.
volunteers, an online petition will also be available.
“Further information and guidance about letters and the petition will be available in very near
future.”
This newspaper understands that if the NEW
CCG sticks to their decision to close all in-patient
beds in Axminster, consideration will be given to
mounting a legal challenge.
Meetings are also likely to be held with Lyme
Regis and Charmouth after the NEW CCG panel
at the public consultation meeting admitted that
they had not included patients from across the
Dorset border in their figures for those who used
Axminster Hospital.
THE business of the major churches in recent weeks is
by no means finished. In his closing address in Rome,
the Pope spoke of two temptations in particular –
namely hostile inflexibility, and the other way to set
aside what was said and examine the process.
The second course seems likely and this will enable
the Roman Catholic (RC) church to embark on a year
of discussion in preparation for their autumn synod.
The RC faithful are known to be in favor of liberalism
and there we must respect them.
In the meantime, others ensured that the prospect of
Anglican women bishops took a step forward when the
House of Lords agreed. Other decisions in favor are
likely to follow. Despite this decision it was recognised
that for traditional Catholics and long-term Evangelicals, it remains a matter of regret. A simple bill is
planned to give effect to this legislation.
The former president of the Methodist Conference
gave his support and the Bishop of Rochester said that
it was envisaged in all dioceses there would be a bishop
supporting the ordained ministry of women. Clearly
there is some conservatism in the pews and all concerned are likely to be sensitive to people’s unease.
English Heritage has produced a new Heritage at Risk
list which features over 800 places of worship - 805
likely to be Church of England parish churches. Many
date from medieval times, others were built in the 20th
century and are assessed from needing urgent attention
to others who will need it in two years. Help is available and for buildings on the register, grants can be applied for. Beyond the Church of England there are 82
places of worship.
Other churches have different problems and the
Pope’s efforts to make the RC chuch more tolerant will
not be stalled by conservative bishops, it is reported.
And it is noted that the RC church will not be more
helpful towards homosexuals. One Cardinal has observed that the Pope has applied a policy of openness
which was unprecedented. It is also hoped that next
year will produce a more welcoming tone.
In the Church of England, a Bishop has warned that
the church must make wholesale changes to halt falling
congregations or risk withering away. The Bishop of
Blackburn warned that the church must make changes
to halt dwindling congregations and he offered a 12
year plan to attract young people. Such warnings echo
others repeated in the West Country from the Bishop
of Truro with the same concerns.
Pupils of the primary school at Seaton attended har-
ty
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CHURCHES | LETTERS
Pulman’s View
from the
churches
With NIGEL SPELLER
vest festival at St Gregory’s Church and sang harvest
songs and brought an item for the food bank.
The Christian Aid light lunches at the United Reform
Church in Seaton restart on Friday, November 7th and
then December 5th at 12noon to 1.30pm – cost £3.30.
Rembrandt of the Wurlizer offer music at Beer on the
afternoon of Saturday, Novembr 29th to celebrate the
19th birthday of the wurlizer, with David Ivory as guest
organist and Norman Davey as compere. Cost is £7 including refreshments and enquiries can be made by
calling 01297 248925.
Sidmouth Just Fayre and Fashion Show takes place
on Saturday, November 8th in support of Traidcraft and
Christian Aid at the Sidmouth Church and Hall. A wide
range of supporters and a fashion show are expected
with good disabled access with ramps, lift and toilet.
Looking ahead, Axminster Musical Theatre (formerly
Operatic) are performing “Jesus Christ Superstar” at
Axminster from Tuesday, November 18th until Saturday, November 22nd (times vary). Tickets are available
from Archway Bookshop on 01297 33744.
At Ottery St Mary the Remembrance Service is on
November 9th at 10.30am in the parish church when
representatives of the services and uniformed brigades
will process. The service commemorates all who have
fallen serving our country from WWI right up to the
present day. After the service, wreaths will be laid
around the war memorial. A young person from Ottery
Royal British Legion will read th Exhortation.
A little earlier in the calendar, on Saturday, November 1st at St Paul’s Church, Honiton, a service took
place, by invitation of the Rector, with former pupils
to mark the 499th annivesary of the founding of Allhallows School on the site of the present Honiton Museum. The Bishop of Crediton was the preacher and
gave the blessing. The 500th anniversary falls on Saturday, Novmeber 1st - more details will follow.
Beehive: what are council playing at?
■ MAY I address your front page article of Pulman’s
View From Honiton, October 21st, reporting that Honiton Town Council has backed Beehive charity plans.
On October 13th, Honiton Town Council voted to
give away the management of the building for 10 years
to a company which plans to become a charity, thereby
taking the control of that building away from the town
council (in law they can only have 20 per cent representation).
I wrote to the council for their meeting on October
13th and voiced my concerns regarding S135 of the
Local Government Act 1972, which advocates competition. I believe the lease should have gone out to tender
and asked the town council to examine their standing
orders in parallel with this agenda item to ensure that
all is legal.
I have no idea whether this was done (once again it
was dealt with privately and the press and public were
ejected) but expected a reply from my letter from the
town clerk. To date, despite my prompting, I have heard
nothing from her. I am ready to be persuaded that the
council’s standing orders exempted them from the law
in this case, but nobody has proved or explained that to
me.
I noticed, by the way, that at the meeting no town
councillors were prepared to become directors of the
company to replace those who have resigned – and I
can’t blame them.
I am given to understand that the civic meeting room
is being signed away by the council to the
company/prospective charity. So now we have a town
council which owns the building but has given the use
of its own meeting room away for 10 years, but what
happens if any of its meetings clash with a function the
company wish to put on? I imagine the company will
say this will not happen, but our town council is handing over its own civic room – I question whether this is
legal?
And still the building is not yet paid for! This is an
appalling state of affairs. I hope the builders are very
patient, as we are given to understand that money precepted for other uses has been “poached” – and that
came from the internal auditors – I was listening at the
town council meeting where this fact was publicly read
out.
I have no idea how much the builders are owed by our
town council, but it seems to be many thousands of
pounds. Whatever are our town council playing at?
Jill McNally,
Honiton
We must fight for hospital until bitter end!
■ WITH regards to the present situation of Ottery St
Mary Hospital in-beds and also the Minor Injuries
Unit, this is desperately worrying.
What I also found very odd was an extract in the
October 9th edition of the Express & Echo, “stroke
care to be based in Ottery”, which I gather from
Councillor Claire Wright, only came to light a few
hours before the public meeting and had not been
mentioned up until then. This in itself is an utter fiasco and probably even more worrying in a way because, although it may be a temporary save, according
to the write up, it talks about Crediton and Exmouth.
Does this mean the beds will a) be taken up with
stroke patients only and, b) how many beds will be
made available for own Ottery and West Hill patients
recuperating after a say in Wonford?
I would very much like to know when this news
came Ottery St Mary Coleridge Medical Centre because this is very relevant, but long-term we cannot
allow our precious hospital to close and be sold off.
The Clinical Commissioning Group must not be allowed to do what it likes.
This is an outrageous situation and it must be fought
to the bitter end!
Pennie Hunt,
West Hill, Ottery St Mary
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Tuesday, January 6th 2015
SAVE OUR
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Hospital beds:
‘perverse and
flawed process’
NHS plans to close in-patient beds at
Axminster are “ill-conceived” and “perverse”, according to campaigners fighting
to protect the future of the town’s much admired hospital.
Strong condemnation of how the whole process has
been handled - with two possible confusing scenarios
being considered for temporary winter closure of
beds and complete shut-down of the wards - has
come from the Axminster Hospital Action Group on
the eve of an NHS Trust Board meeting which could
see the beds moth-balled until a final decision is
agreed.
Campaigners have been fighting a battle with the
NEW Devon Clincial Commissioning Group over
their plans to close the ten in-patient beds in Axminster and transfer them to Seaton where they claim the
need is greater.
This argument was strongly refuted at packed out
public meetings where it was pointed out that Axminster Hospital, better equipped, served more parishes
than Seaton and that NHS officials had not taken into
consideration that Axminster also serves Lyme Regis
and Charmouth.
At the same time, a different NHS body decided,
without consultation, to close the Axminster beds
Our prices beat sale
By Philip Evans
[email protected]
temporarily for the winter months because there were
concerns about staff supervision.
An apology was then issued because no consultation was initiated over this decision and the public
were given until last Tuesday (December 30th) to
make the views known.
Intense activity took place over the Christmas period to mobilise as many objections as possible and
tomorrow (January 7th) Axminster Hospital Action
Group will attend an extraordinary NHS Trust Board
meeting to hear the deliberations on the temporary
closure of beds.
A four-page supplement on the fight to Save
Axminster Hospital appears in this week’s Pulman’s
View, including the detailed responses to possible
closure of the beds for the winter from the Action
Group, League of Friends and the Axminster Medical
Practice Participation Group.
A statement has been issued by retired GP Dr James
Vann and Steve Holt, on behalf of the Axminster Hospital Action Group, saying there has been a massive
response from the public, including 6,800 signatures
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NHS plans to close in-patient beds at Axminster
are “ill-conceived” and “perverse”, according to
campaigners fighting to protect the future of the
town’s much admired hospital.
Strong condemnation of how the whole process
has been handled - with two possible confusing
scenarios being considered for temporary winter
closure of beds and complete shut-down of the
wards - has come from the Axminster Hospital
Action Group on the eve of an NHS Trust Board
meeting which could see the beds moth-balled
until a final decision if agreed.
Campaigners have been fighting a battle with
the NEW Devon Clincial Commissioning Group
over their plans to close the ten in-patient beds
in Axminster and transfer them to Seaton where
they claim the need is greater.
This argument was strongly refuted at packed
out public meetings where it was pointed out that
Axminster Hospital, better equipped, served
more parishes than Seaton and that NHS officials
had not taken into consideration that Axminster
also serves Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
At the same time, a different NHS body decided,
without consultation, to close the Axminster
beds temorarily for the winter months because
there were concerns about staff supervision.
An apology was then issued because no consultaion was initiated over this decision and the
public were given until last Tuesday (December
30th) to make the views known.
Intense activity took place over the Christmas
period to mobilise as many objections as possible
and tomorrow (January 7th) Axminster Hospital
Action Group will attend an extraordinary NHS
Trust Board meeting to hear the deliberations on
the temporary closure of beds.
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Swire ‘too late’
on relocation row
D-Day for future of beds
Hospital beds plan
is ‘ill-conceived’
Thursday 15th January
SIDMOUTH
AXMINSTER
WEEKLY ANTIQUES
VALUATION DAYS
Tuesday, January 6th 2015 3
THIS is an important week for Axminster and
Seaton hospitals - a week when we should
know which way the land lies with regards to
the future of in-patient beds in the Axe Valley.
An extraordinary meeting of the NHS Trust
Board is being held to decide whether the ten
existing beds at Axminster Hospital, already
under threat, will be closed temporarily over
the winter months.
The fear is that if the Trust decides to go
ahead with the winter closure, put forward
because of concerns over staff supervision,
the long term decision to move all beds to
Seaton will be rubber stamped. And if the wards are closed in Axminster,
does that mean that the future of the hospital
itself is in doubt?
This has not been the NHS Trust’s finest
hour. Having already announced that the beds
would be moth-balled for the winter, they
then withdrew the decision and apologised for
not consulting the public first. SEATON
A ridiculously short consultation period, finishing last Wednesday, was then put in
place for all those who objected to this move
to get their arguments together.
The Axminster Hospital Action Group, already fighting the long-term battle, have
done a brilliant job is mobilising as many objectors as possible, including a petition
signed by 6,800 local people.
Whatever the outcome, they could not have
worked harder and I hope their observations
get a fair hearing.
Looking to the future, the Action Group has
put together some very cogent arguments of
why beds should be retained at Axminster
and Seaton. Nobody wants to see two local
hospitals, both with excellent reputations,
pitched against each other.
The NHS Trust has succeeded marvellously
in doing just that. As I said, not their finest
hour.
Philip Evans
EAST Devon MP Hugo Swire has come under fire
for failing to speak up sooner about his concerns
over the district council’s controversial relocation
project.
Local campaigners welcomed Mr Swire’s criticism of the move, but said his comments had
come “too late”, with the council expected to
press ahead with the project in the new year.
Last week the issue sparked a clash between
Mr Swire and the council’s Conservative leader
Paul Diviani, who accused the MP of electioneering.
He said it remained a priority to see the project
through and claimed that Mr Swire had raised his
concerns “because he has an election to fight”.
The council is now set to pursue a revised plan
to move to twin sites in Honiton and Exmouth,
after members voted last month to scrap the controversial SkyPark project.
The relocation process, which has already cost
tax payers more than £700,000, has been
strongly criticised over the last two years by
campaign groups Save Our Sidmouth and the
East Devon Alliance, as well as Independent
councillors.
HONITON
OTTERY ST MARY
Charity founder Police cuts are
is honoured
‘catastrophic’
A DEDICATED local activist, who has worked for
years to improve the lives of people in some of
the world’s most impoverished communities,
has been honoured by the Queen.
Seaton’s Dick Bell, founder of Christian charity
the Seed International Fund Trust (SIFT), was
awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list last week.
For decades Mr Bell has been at the forefront
of pioneering work to give hope to underprivileged communities in the third world.
Mr Bell founded the SIFT charity in 2002 and
has gone on to help some of the poorest people
in the Central American country of Nicaragua.
Most recently he has headed the Palm Tree
Associates project, which works to fight extreme poverty and
malnutrition by rebuilding the horticultural industry on the
Nicaraguan island of
Ometepe.
Mr Bell received a
letter notifying him of
the award in November, but he said he was
“embarrassed” rather
than proud to receive
the nomination.
“I have been totally
embarrassed by it all
to be honest, but it
certainly is an honour
to the Lord,” he said.
“If it can help us to
enhance the profile of
Nicaragua that would
be brilliant because so
many people are becoming interested and
involved.”
Having spent 20
years in the RAF as a
maritime pilot and flying
instructor,
Squadron Leader Bell
left the force in 1974
and moved to Seaton,
where he spent many
years as a Bible
teacher.
Sold for £5,800
FURTHER cuts to police budgets could have a
“catastrophic” impact in Honiton and the force
must urgently consider reorganising its resources, critics have warned.
The town’s senior citizens say local policing will
be left in a “parlous state” if planned government
cutbacks are followed through in the new year.
The Home Office announced before Christmas
that police forces across the country will face a
five per cent cut in 2015/16 – a funding reduction
of almost £300 million.
And Tony Hogg, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has already conceded that the cuts were bigger than expected
and will have an impact on services.
Now Honiton’s senior citizens, who have consistently warned that police cuts pose a threat to elderly residents, say resources are being stretched
to breaking point.
Vic Bowsher, chairman of the Honiton Senior
Voice group, met with Mr Hogg before Christmas.
He said the cuts could cause an increase in crime
and nuisance issues in the town.
“We receive less funding per head than other
areas and receive no extra help to cope with huge
tourist numbers,” said Mr Bowsher.
Family overwhelmed
by appeal success
AN OTTERY man left in a coma following a nearfatal road accident in Thailand will soon be flown
back to Devon, after an incredible response to his
family’s fundraising appeal.
The Grainger family say they are “deeply
thankful” for the generosity and kindness
shown by members of the community, who have
raised more than £25,000 towards the urgent
appeal in less than three weeks.
Max Grainger, 35, was hit by a speeding car
while riding his motorbike in the city of Hua Hin,
where he moved to live in 2013.
His family has been told it is highly unlikely he
will make a recovery from the injuries that have
kept him in a coma since the accident, but the
Graingers are desperate to bring Max back to
Devon so he can be assessed by British doctors.
With flights and medical bills spiralling into the
tens of thousands of pounds, the family launched
a fundraising appeal earlier this month.
And after an unprecedented response, the
family is now close to making the dream a reality.
To contribute to the Graingers’ appeal, visit www.
gofundme.com/helpbringmaxhome
EAST DEVON BRANCH
SAUSAGE (pictured) is a very friendly 3 year old tabby & white boy who
is staying at our foster home in Aylesbeare .....................01395 233494
BOUNTY is a gorgeous 18 month old tabby & white boy who is staying
near Exeter.......................................................................01392 811732
HOLLY is a lovely, friendly 16 month old black girl who is staying in Poltimore .................................................................................01392 461279
MAGGIE is a very affectionate 9 year old tortie & white girl who is staying
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KARRIE is a beautiful and friendly 18 month old white & tortie semi long
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DIME & DOLLAR are lovely 7 month old white & tabby girls who are also
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4 Tuesday, January 6th 2015
AXMINSTER
Town mourns popular Scout
leader honoured by the Queen
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Announcements
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY
KIM APLIN
WITH LOTS OF LOVE
JAYNE, BETH, SAMMIE & PAUL XX
CONGRATULATIONS
TO MY DEAR HUSBAND
JOHN LANG
ON HIS 89TH BIRTHDAY
FROM HIS LOVING WIFE JANET XX
HAPPY 65TH
BIRTHDAY
DEAN
ENJOY YOUR DAY!!
LOTS OF LOVE WIFE JILL XXXXXX
Message.............................................................................................................................................................................................
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Send to: Devon, Dorset & Somerset Series of Newspapers Limited, Unit 3, St Michael’s Business Centre, Church
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
All announcements must be in by 12 noon on Friday for the following week’s publication.
AXMINSTER has been saddened by the death of Mr
Bob Pitman MBE, known affectionately to generations of young people as “Skip” because of his long
service to the Scouting movement.
Mr Pitman, whom lived in Loretto Road, died on
December 21st after a long illness. He is survived by
his wife Nora, daughter Heather and son Colin, and
four grandchildren - Charlottle, George, Robert and
James.
The funeral will take place on Friday (January 9th)
at Holy Cross Church, Woodbury, at 12noon followed
by burial at Axmimster Cemetery.
The family have issued the following tribute to a dedicated, husband, father and grandfather:
“Bob felt he had had a good life
and wishes all those his friends
and family to give thanks for that
and not be mournful.
“Bob was the youngest son of
Edgar and Ellen Pitman who had
six children, the others being
Jack, Laurie, Phyllis, Charles and
Kathleen. The family came to live
in Axminster from North Cadbury
in Somerset in 1931.
“Bob attended the junior and
senior schools in Axminster, leaving at the age of 14 to work for
Frederick Baker in what is now
Trinity House.
“Here he met Peter Baker, who
was at that time the Axminster
Scout Leader. Bob subsequently joined the Rover
Scouts at 15 and stayed in the crew until 1944 when,
at 17½ years old, he volunteered for and joined the
Devonshire Regiment, with whom he served with for
three and a half years.
“During that time he trained to be a mine detector
in the British Liberation Army in Europe and was for
a time based in Naples, Italy.
“When the war ended he had made the rank of corporal and, when the Regiment was reformed, Bob
served in the occupation troops in Austria before
being demobbed in 1947. He loved the area and returned there on holiday with his wife Nora in 1986.
“Back in civilian life, Bob became a bookings clerk
at Axminster station where he worked for 20 years in
the days when – in his words – railways were railways! This also enabled him to take his family away
on many enjoyable holidays to Cornwall and the Isle
of Wight.
“In 1948 he met Nora when he was playing drums
in a local band – The Keynotes - at a Woodbury Hall
social evening which, in those days, was a very popular event. It was love at first sight and they were mar-
ried in the minster in 1951 and were to be happily
married for more than 63 years.
“Bob had continued his scouting during his Army
service and on demob took on the role of Scout
Leader, later becoming Group Scout Leader in
Axminster. He was to be active with the group for 55
years and was still taking boys to camp in his 70s with
trips all over the South of England and even visiting
France and Holland.
“Bob was a big influence of hundreds of local boys
who all referred to him affectionately as ‘Skip’. His
service was rewarded by the
Chief Scout with the Silver
Acorn, scouting’s second highest
award, in 1980.
“Bob was instrumental in
fundraising for a new scout hall
that was built in 1970. In 1995
his efforts in local scouting were
recognised when he was awarded
the MBE – and was proud to
take his family to Buckingham
Palace to receive his medal from
Her Majesty The Queen.
“Bob also enjoyed other activities and played football for Dalwood before a cartilage injury
curtailed his career.
“In 1968, he left the railway to
work for Axminster Rural District Council, and on re-organisation, for East Devon District
Council, as a technical assistant
in the services department.
“He retired in 1988 but remained active with scouting and also as secretary for Holy Cross Church and
Woodbury Hall, where he played a leading part in
bringing about the hall improvements, seeking out
and obtaining grant aid which funded, amongst others
things, a much-needed extension.
“Along with Nora, Bob attended the Holy Cross
Church for many years and developed lots of longlasting friendships.
“The couple loved walking and spent many hours
exploring our beautiful local countryside. He also enjoyed western films and was a voracious reader of adventure books and historical fiction.
“Sadly, Bob was diagnosed as suffering with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 73. But even this failed to
fully curtail his efforts in the local community and he
continued his administrative work for the church as
long as he was able.
“We have lost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who truly had the warmest of hearts
and made a lasting impression on all those he met.
Hopeful that beds will be retained
at Axminster and Seaton hospitals
■ FROM PAGE ONE
from people opposing the temporary bed closures.
The statement continued: “Following the close of
the NDHT consultation last Tuesday (December
30th), the Hospital Action Group and League of
Friends felt it was important to send correspondence
to the trust detailing that they felt the whole process
had been both ill considered and perverse.
“The Axminster Hospital Action Group are ready
to attend the extraordinary board meeting being held
by NDHT tomorrow (January 7th) to decide on their
plans for Axminster in-patients. We realise this has
been a very confusing time for the public trying to
understand the two consultation periods being undertaken by two of the key groups that plan and provide
our medical services.
“Axminster community have been excellent in supporting the hospital, and trying to get the trust to see
the bigger picture from the perspective of the community. We would like to thank all of those who have
taken part and hope they will continue to do so as the
final position is still far from clear.
“We have pointed out throughout the consultation
that the data on both need and demographics is
flawed, and in fact there is sufficient need to reinstate
at least 16 beds in each of Axminster and Seaton Hospitals. This would return to the status of a couple of
years ago when the beds were adequately occupied.
“Public support for inpatient beds at Axminster has
been a key issue borne out by the massive response
to the petition to keep the beds (6,800 signatures) and
the overwhelming rejection of the NDHT suggestion
to move Axminster beds to Seaton albeit on a temporary basis (108 rejected the proposal, four supported
the proposal).
“This has been a hectic time especially as NDHT
chose to have a very short consultation period and
over Christmas. We have been working very hard on
your behalf to explain to NDHT why their plans are
not in the best interest of Axminster people and probably not in anyone’s interest either clinically or financially. NDHT already know of our petition and we
will be presenting it to the Board at their extraordinary meeting this week.
“In November the NEW Devon CCG did listen to
our concerns and have both extended their consultation period and set up a stakeholder group across the
whole of the eastern locality to hear first hand the
views of the public and listen to feasible alternatives.
“We are very hopeful that the Board will see there
are other more productive ways forwards and will
agree with us that the best option, all things considered, is to continue with beds in both Seaton and
Axminster while we wait for the CCG to decide the
overall future in the next few weeks. We are confident
that we can also persuade the CCG that both Axminster and Seaton need 16 bed units to provide a proper
and full community service.
“The Action Group and LoF wish to thank everyone
for their continued support.”
Save our
HOSPITAL BEDS
This is how Pulman’s View
reported the story last year
Choosing Axminster
or Seaton is
kly News &View from
Pulman’s Wee
Axminster
ary
Tuesday, Janu
7th 2014
R FREE COPY
PICK UP YOU
ISSUE
uture
Fears over fpitals
of local hos
By Anders Lars
son
Scott Rowe
with two
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December
to press, charged
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You claim that the reason for consolidation is
lack of resilience in the staffing of both hospitals
and that the only way to provide safe cover is to
combine staff in one place.
We totally reject that premise because even with
our limited resources we have been able to identify
another local provider of agency staff who is able
Carpet to produce whatever additional numbers you may
World feel are required.
Further, in the consultation held on December
29th, you confirmed that although the potential
safe staffing issue at both Axminster and Seaton
was identified in May, no special measures were
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put in place or a plan developed to try to recruit
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Pulman’s Wee
Axminster
8th
Tuesday, April
PICK UP YOU
ISSUE NUM
Axminster
2014
R FREE COPY
Tuesday, June 24th 2014
1857
BER 432 Est.
This is the full text of the submission
made to Dr Alison Diamond, Chief
Executive of North Devon Healthcare
NHS Trust from Axminster Hospital
Action Group
says it is concerned with the need for safe staffing
levels.
Eighteen months ago you identified that providing staff at outlying hospitals such as Axminster
and Seaton was potentially problematic and made
a decision to ‘temporarily’ reduce bed numbers
from 18 to 10 in both hospitals until such times as
you were able to find adequate staff.
We see no evidence to show that you have tried
to implement a plan to recruit more full-time staff
for either hospital over and above simply placing
those advertisements. We challenge you to demonstrate that at a time when you have been running
at a budget surplus that you have committed the
resources necessary to find and retain the staffing
levels you say are now necessary for both hospitals.
Your ‘temporary’ reduction in bed numbers already carried out and the uncertainty created by
your announcement to close Axminster has had a
marked affect on staff morale. As a result Axmin■ TURN TO PAGE 22
Scott Rowe
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I THOUSANDS of people converged on Axminster
over the weekend for the staging of the 20th Axe
Vale Festival in blistering heat.
Organisers estimate the mumbers attending to
be somewhere near a record 14,000.
Pictured above are some of the Axminster-based
traders who shared a marquee promoting the
town’s commercial community.
Following the news last week that the NHS is considering shutting down another 16 beds in the community
hospitals in East Devon, Councillor Symes has written to
this newspaper saying:”Can we stand back and just allow
this to happen?”
A parish poll is possible if it is demanded by ten electors
and Councillor Symes has looked into the process of staging such a poll.
A long standing and active member of Axminster Hospital League of Friends, Councillor Symes said: “While
we feel sadden for Axminster’s neighbouring towns,
which also face bed closures, we should protest strongly
and voice our opinion on the matter.
“A great deal of funding has been raised locally and
spent on our hospital. It would be wrong to just sit back
TURN to page 4
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By Anders Larsson
[email protected]
I TOWN criers from three counties converged
on Axminster on Saturday to provide some carnival fun in a crying competition.
The new carnival day event was organised by
Councilor Mervyn Symes, compere for the day,
and Axminster’s town crier, Nick Goodwin.
Six criers were invited to make two cries - one
about their town and another comical one before
a panel of three judges - former mayors Michael
Steer and Douglas and Joy Hull.
The eventual winner was Ilminster Town Crier
Andrew Fox, who received the Axminster Challenge Trophy, donated by Pulman’s View from
Axminster and presented by the Mayor of
Axminster, Councillor Jeremy Walden.
Full report in next week’s Pulman’s View.
Last Thursday’s NHS Northern Eastern and Western
Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW CCG)
announcement confirmed fears that Axminster Hospital in-beds were on a hit list.
Axminster Hospital LoF’s offer to NEW CCG of up
to £300,000 over three years to keep the in-patient
beds open did not have the desired effect and has not
been met with an official response.
But the League of Friends has not given up.
After Thursday’s announcement, they called an
emergency meeting the following day when it was decided to hold a public meeting at 4pm on Saturday,
October 4th in Axminster Guildhall to which all are
invited.
LoF member Mervyn Symes said the public meeting had been called to discuss the best way forward
TURN to page 4
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2014
Pulman’s Wee
kly News
&Vi
Axminster
ew from
ISSUE NUM
BER 460 Est.
1857
PICK UP YOUR
FREE COPY
HOSPITAL B
EDS
■ It’s Axmin
ster v Seato
n
THE retentio
n
for the Axe of in-patient hospital beds
Valley will come
fight betwee
down to a
n Axminster
The group of
and Seaton
pital services health officials which controls .
has already
hoschosen Seaton
more suitable
as being
angered the for 18 beds, a decision
which
residents of
Axminster, desperat has
protect their
much
e to
Doctors serving loved cottage hospital
.
Western Clinical on the Northern, Eastern
Commissioning
and
Group (NEW
By Anders Lars
son
anders@tin
dlenews.co
.uk
CCG) told another
packed meeting
Guildhall that
at Axminster
their decision
raphy, demogra
was
phy and facilities based on geogagree to consider
– but they did
the views expresse
of Axminster
d in favour
during the current
tation process.
12-week consul-
28th 2014
POLICE have
promised increas
of Axmins
ed patrols in
ter after a
parts
15-year
saulted on the
pathway running-old girl was asLong Ragg
from Foxhill
Court.
and
The inciden
t took place
Tuesday of
at about 8.35am
last week,
on
and it is unders
victim was
on her way
tood the
to Axe Valley
College.
Community
The college
issued an urgent
students, urging
safety notice
them
to
to walk to and
college in groups
from the
if possible.
In addition,
the college
has
for student
held a safety
s.
briefing
A police spokesp
erson said:
scribed as a
“The
suspect is dewhite man,
in his 20s, 6ft,
proportionate
of slim to
build.
“He was wearing
a hooded top,
in a deep voice.
jeans and spoke
“There will
be increased
area over the
police patrols
forthcoming
in the
days.”
Anyone who
saw a man
matching the
tion in the area,
descripto this inciden or has any information
relevan
t,
167 of 21/10/1 is asked to phone 101 quoting t
4.
log
Alternatively,
anonymously Crimestoppers can be
contacted
on 0800 555
111.
The police stateme
nt did not say
if any, the girl
what
suffered, but
injuries,
ice was not
the ambula
called.
nce serv-
The Guildha
ll was packed
which was chaired
for
by Steve Holt, the meeting
Axminster
treasurer
Hospita
which has pumped l League of Friends of the
(LoF)
millions of
town’s hospital
over the years. pounds into the
The presenta
tion and debates
and audio and
were relayed
visual
via
ster Care Service, link, financed by the
Axminto the Minster
around another
Church where
80 residents
the argumen
listened intently
ts.
to
At the end of
public meeting the highly emotive two
hour-plus
, a seven-pa
ge LoF rebuttle
ment was presente
docud to the CCG
change their
urging them
mind.
to
exercise
The meeting
was
Western Clinical held by Northern, Eastern
and
cuss its overall Commissioning Group
to disproposal for
community
The meeting
services.
was dominat
proposal to
close the currented by one issue, the
in Axminster
and add them ten in-patient beds
Seaton as part
to existing ones
of a cost-cut
in
ting exercise
NEW CCG,
.
which has a
planned £14.7
deficit from
a budget of £1.1
million
year, having
overspent by billion this financial
£14.6 million
says that concent
last year,
rating a total
beds to a total
of 66 in-patien
t
£500,000 a year.of three hospitals will save
up to
It says the proposa
l is an
that there is
definitely no interim measure and
money to increase
total number
of beds at the
the
moment.
Last week’s
meeting attracted
crowd to the
another capacity
Guildhall, boosting
number of concern
the the
two protest meetinged residents who attendedtotal
the
The panel consistes to around 1,500.
d of NEW CCG
Simon Kerr
member
(Ottery
finance officer), St Mary), Hugh Groves s Dr
(chief
Dr Mike Slott
(Sidmouth)
and
Cost-cutting
■ SIGNATURES:
in-patient beds Steve Holt (with microph
in Axminster
one) has just
to NEW CCG’s
presented a
Tamara Powder
1,700
ley. Dr Simon plus petition to keep
Kerr is on the
right
Tuesday, Octob
er
Girl assaulted
on the way
to school
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4
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N, YOUR NE
WS...YOUR
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Scott Rowe
For All Your
Legal Needs
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Lyme Regis
01297 443777
we.co.uk
Castle Hill,
g at
Axminster,
EX13 5PY
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October 28
th 20
14
Pulman’s Wee
kly News
&Vi
Axminster
BER 466 Est.
1857
FREE COPY
Tuesday, Decem
ber
23rd 2014
Hospital be
to ‘power o ds: now it’s down
f public’ rea
ction
“The power
anders@tindle
of the public
be underestimated.”
involvement
news.co.uk
should not
Consultation
NHS bosses
responses should
CCG.EasternLoc
[email protected] be e-mailed to Dsial proposalswill look again at contro
or posted to:
ver- Locality ,NEW Devon CCG,
Eastern
tient beds at to permanently close in-paRydon Lane,
Newcourt House,
Exeter
Axminster Hospit
Old
Anger was rife
al.
in towns which
patients beds
stood
missioning as part of a NEW Devon to lose its inGroup proposa
Clinical Combeds across the
l to keep the
over three sites eastern locality at 66 but number of
to
only
be
spread
to
save up
But the financia
• Tax • Bookk
l benefit and to £500,000 a year.
eeping • Accou
proposal were
other aspects
Accountants
challenged.
nts
of the
and
At the end
Chartere
d Tax adviser
providing a
month, NEW of the initial consultation
professional,
CCG said: “We
period
cost effective
amount of response
fixed fee service.
have received this
,
s
and
a
Confide
vast
there
further informat
ntial
ion by Devon’shave been requests for
Call 07763
Scrutiny Commit
tee and othersHealth and Wellbeing
query@kad 556594 or email
made.
before decision
elsolutions.c
s are
“As a result,
o.uk
we will produce
ument and addition
a supplementary
al information
docon January
will
5th
until 15 Februaryand the consultation be published
will continue
A spokesperson15th.
for Axmins
Group said:
ter Hospital
“We applaud
Action
consultation
the decision
period.
to extend the
“We thank all
For All Your
✓ Buying
that has played those who have written
& Selling Property
o the CCG as
Legal Needs
a major part
✓ Business
decision.
in the CCG
Issues
✓ Agricultu
making this
ral Issues
“We now await
✓ Wills
CCG have promise the further informa
✓ Powers
of Attorney
tion that the
d us together
✓ Trusts & Estates
to how they
with updated
will
✓ Personal
data as
“Then it will be basing future decision
✓ Matrimon Injury
be essential for
s.
sible to write/em
as
✓ Litigation ial
ail again their many people as posfuture before
Axminster
updated views
the middle of
on the
Chard
01297 32345
February.
Lyme Regis
01460
by Anders Lars
son
Kadel Solution
Former top
cop at
Rotary lunch
NINETY people
sat down in
Rotary Club
the Guildhal
of Axminster’s
l for The
mas Lunch.
Community
Led by RotaryP
ChristRotarian Bill
partner Helen, resident Simon Dunn
Coltham said:
the club welcom
and his
this annual event
Comsta
“The
is to bring togethereason behind John ble and Deputy Lieuten ed former Chief
and shakers
Evans,
ant of
r the ‘movers
’ in the local
community
much to Axmins
Walden, Neil the Mayor of Axminster,Devon, Sir
who give so
ter by their
Jeremy
charities and
cluding the Parish MP, and Rotary
support organiswork for the many
leaders inDistrict Goveno
and to formally
Bennet
r of Devon,
thank them ations in the town, Governot, and his wife Barbara
Peter
and commit
for their hard
, and Assista
r, George Eamer
ment .”
work
nt
and his wife
Rotary Club
Jan.
Lyme Regis, Members were welcom
Chard, Otter
ed from
Valley and Exmout
h.
s
www.kadelsolu
tions.co.uk
Scott Rowe
63336
01297 443777
enquiries@scottro
we.co.uk
Dorchester
Musbury Road,
Axminster EX13 8TJ
Call us on 01297 33993
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.30
Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
January 7th 2014
Chard
Lyme Regis
01460 63336
enquiries@scottro
01297 443777
we.co.uk
Opening Times
Monday - Friday
Saturday 10.00 9.00 - 5.30
- 5.00
Scott Rowe
Matrimon Injury
Litigation ial
Axminster
01297 32345
4
18th Oct
YOUR TOW
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rshop.co.uk
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WS...YOUR
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AXMINSTER Hospital League of Friends
(LoF) has issued a rallying cry and called a
public meeting in a bid to reverse the in-patient bed closure proposal for Axminster
Hospital.
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Hospital: Public meeting
called to fight bed closure
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ISSUE NUM
Tuesday, September 23rd 2014
01404 871400
Phone 01297 35053
A 38-year-old
Axminster
rested on suspici
man has been
supply of controlon of being concerned arin the
tionally causing led drugs and also
or inciting anothe of intenbecome a prostitu
r person to
te.
ew from
Chard
Lyme Regis
01460 63336
01297 443777
[email protected]
NEXT AUCTION
Monday 30th June, 10.00am
Please see page: 5
7th 2014
In addition,
ern Devon Clinical
a 24-year-old
Commissioning
arrested on
CCG).
local female
Group (NEW
suspicion of
was
the supply
The docume
of controlled being concerned in
nt will be complet
The outcome
of about 400
well before
drugs.
The arrests
meeting, which
ed and
was that the
NEW CCG
were made
had been called did attend the work with
holds a public delivered
League of Friends
tion event in
cuted a warran
buttal of the
when officers
MP Neil
to “prepare a
consultaAxminster Guildha
proposal” to
will
re- cillors to produce Parish, local GPs and
close in-patien
at an addres t under the Misuse of Drugsexell on Tuesday
town coun- October 21st from 5pm-7pm
t beds.
s
will be handed a “constructive docume
Act
Campaigners
.
tember 30th. in the town on Tuesda
nt”, which
to NHS Northern
claim that NEW
y, Septo close in-patien
, Eastern and
CCG’s
Both
proposa
West- a
were taken
very short-sig t beds at Axminster Hospital l
to a police station
for intervie
is
w.
in Exeter
out of date and hted one – and that it is
based on
incomplete statistics
A
police
spokes
Axminster
.
Mayor Jeremy
granted police person said: “They have
NEW CCG
bail to allow
been
failed to participa Walden said that
tion of a numbe
forensi
ment of the
draft local plan, te in the developr of items seized c examinasearch.
fact that the
during the
town’s populati and had ignored the
“They are
crease by 50
per cent over on is expected to indue to answer
the coming years.
2015.”
It was also claimed
bail in Januar
y
clude the populati that NEW CCG failed
Officers from
to inon of surround
Honiton and
the statistics
bourhood
ing villages
on which the
Teams, suppor Axminster Neighin
proposal was
Proactive Team
ted
Inundat
based.
and a police by the Exeter
Axminster Care ed with complaints
volved
dog unit, were
Service vice-cha
in the operati
Copland was
inon.
irman Norman
of
to NEW CCG, a similar opinion and,
in a letter
with complai wrote: “We have been inundate
nts
d
plications have and most believe that the
full
not
“Your represen been taken into account. imon October 21st tative at the NHS public
meeting
hensive analysiswill need to have a very
comprestand any chance of the wider implicat
ions to
cern of the peopleof placating the anger
and conin our catchme
NEW CCG
had been invited nt area.”
■ STANDING
meeting but
to last Saturday
declined
ROOM
For All Your
figting the closure ONLY: A packed
Buying
Councillor Walden to send a representative. ’s
& Selling Property
Legal Needs
iof beds at AxminsGuildhall with another
Business
did announc
NEW CCG
e, however, that
300 locked
Agricultu Issues
ter Hospital.
had
outside to hear
ral Issues
Friends offer not flatly refused the League
Wills
plans fopr
of £300,000
Powers
over three years of
Trusts of Attorney
to
& Estates
Personal
By Anders Lars
son
anders@tin
dlenews.co
.uk
Showroom
A358 Seaton
By Philip Evans
WITH the possible closure of more beds at
Axminster Hospital, former Mayor Mervyn
Symes is calling for a parish poll so the people
of Axminster can have their say over the future
of medical services in the town.
For All Your
Legal Needs
Axminster
01297 32345
A SEAT in the
Guildhall for
Axminster Hospit
Saturday’s
meeting proved al League of Friend
s
to be the hottest
in town with
ticket
around 300
people turned
away becaus
e of a lack of
A capacity crowd
space.
Tuesday, Octob
er
Arrested on
charges rel
ati
to drugs an ng
d
prostitution
Axminster
ter Hospital
t comes after
The statemen in-patients beds at Axmins
10
review”.
week that the
18, were “under sioning Group and Nothreduced from
Commis
organisations
The Devon Clinicalre NHS Trust are the g healthcare
and providin
ern Devon Healthca
commissioning responding to strong ruresponsible for
ter and were concerning the future
t
services in Axmins
important statemen to be made.
about
mours that an
were to be
Hospital was
ter
hospital
the
in
Axmins
of
would be
d that all beds
the hospital
It was rumoure
some even feared
shut down and
the hosno plans to close before
closed.
said there were
doctors
NHS officials not consult with local
did
.
pital but they
tion has now
these rumours
responding to
a lack of consulta
“deploring” on behalf of Dr P.J.R TayA statement
B.N
by Dr J.A. VannAllen; Dr S.A Ellis; Dr
been issued
Dr J.M
s & Dr L.C
Dr E.P Guinnes
lor; Dr J.G Halford;
Mount,
S.J
McKenna; Dr
4
Manor Jim Rowe
TURN to page
Lord of The
Crosby.
Thursday.
alden, and the
Guildhall on
at Axminster FRANCESCA EVANS
Councillor JeremyW
Axminster, In Axminster” awards held
Photo by
The Mayor of
“Pride
I CHAMPIONS: seven winners in our
the
pictured with
- pages 29-36.
supplement
See special
N, YOUR NE
YOUR TOW
Former Mayor calls for parish poll
doctor
con- King
551113
ring” lack of
AXMINSTER
week “deplo and expressing Tel 01297
o.uk
statement this
ls
hopcolyton.c
NHS officia
made www.gardens
sultation by how decisions are being
concern about of Axminster Hospital.
admitted last
health bosses
over the future
,
THE PRIDE
Scott Rowe
FREE COPY
Full hous
save our beeto
ds
Effect on staff moral
CARNIVAL
NIGHT IN
AXMINSTER
For All Your
Legal Needs
PICK UP YOUR
Scott Rowe
see pages 8 & 9
lore lack of
Doctors dep n by NHS
consultatio
ew from
BER 457 Est.
1857
A358 Seaton
e believe that the proo
posal
by the NDHT to
tw
ith
w
d
Man charge n robberies
temporarily close either
petrol statio
Axminster or Seaton
H
OF BRITIS
THE BEST
hospital inpatient beds is wrong. At a
time when additional inpatient and
95 SQ.M.
n
ONLY £15.
s East Devo
VIEW - acros
nursing home beds across the NEW
NEWS...YOUR
UR
YO
N,
W
YOUR TO
Devon area are being commissioned by
2014
the CCG to meet the winter crisis it is
January 7th
m
s
fro
perverse
to reduce bed numbers in eiew
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N
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&
kl
Pulman’s Wee
ther town now.
appointments
by the central
still not offered
Axminster is
has
committee, which
desk.
is part of a local
Councillor Symes
the meeting
Mervyn Symes
bosses.
he wrote: “Since of an um- I COUNCILLOR
fears that a commet with NHS
Pulman’s View
enews.co.uk
in the setup
lor Mervyn Symes
be “mothIn a letter to
r Douanders@tindl
been involved Axminster Hospital
TOWN council l in East Devon could
but town councillobe dis- [on March 1st] I have
with
no further cuts
conjunction
situation
in
been
ee
munity hospita bosses.
have
rehospital
to
There
plans
d that the
January brella committ
and paballed” by NHS an element of unease sinceat Axminster glas Hull has requeste Town Council during its
issues arising levels,
League of Friends.
and monitor
There has been of day case surgery types
by Axminster
appointment
meet regularly
cussed
booking
have
“We
to
“I
regard
duce the number early last year.
request by saying:can find tients’ concerns with
g a stormy meeting.
surgeries.
surexplained his
council
ity and day case e the increase in day case
Hospital surfaced backtracked after attendin
Councillor Hull by and asked if the town .”
bed availabil
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bosses
the
encourag
ed
and
to
year.
NHS
s
ur
Monday - Saturday
last
Hospital
But
provider
Parish, been approach
10am - 4pm
“We endeavo
at Axminster
on March 1st
551113
n with the NHS,
led by MP Neil
d about the numis happening
January Opening Colyton - Tel 01297
public meeting
.co.uk
been expresse case surgery in geries via discussio
of 200 people,
d to improve out what
King Street,
shopcolyton
concern had
sion.
there was fundwww.garden
An angry groupand NHS bosses promise
ce, day
He said that
Quality Commis the meeting [March 1st]
system, too.
his experien
of
appointment
forced a rethink
cut ber of beds and, in
“At the time
including the the number of beds was
2013 the funding
other aspects,
ed when
ing for 18 beds. February to August
and from AuBut fears reappear
“However, fromto approximately 12 beds to 10 beds.
18 to 10.
last year from
had been reduced they were reduced further
aware
very
are
but
& Selling Property
situation,
gust 2013 onwards
Buying s Issues
to monitor this in the surrounding area are
“We continue
Busines ral Issues
ity hospitals
For All Your
.
Agricultu
commun
capacity
other
bed
that
Legal Needs
a reduction in friends treasurer Steve Holt
Wills
of Attorney
of
also suffering
Health Powers Estates
2013, league
Northern Devon
“In October
Trusts & l Injury
a meeting at
Persona nial
and myself attended
in Exeter.
by community
Matrimo n
a
care NHS Trust was to review issues raised ity and other
tes following
Litigatio
bed availabil
custody by magistra
Street on
“This meeting
Lyme Regis
regard to funding,
at Co-op in West
Chard
hospitals with
01297 443777
to robbery December 21st.
Bude.
er Hospital to
Axminster
,
.
to ap- and Axminster charges relate
01460 63336
on Saturday Murphy, aged 26 and from concerns a good opportunity for Axminst
ld man was due
The
rowe.co.uk
01297 32345
A 28 YEAR-o Pulman’s View went
robProspect Garage
Samuel
“This was
enquiries@scott
page 4
as
charged with
robberies at and at the Tesco fillI TURN to
pear in court
robberies
magAxminster, was
Eve
Axminster
ISSUE NUM
Axminster
W
JUST WRONG!
Est. 1857
NUMBER 419
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kly News
&Vi
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- See inside
December 23
rd 2014
Four page supplement on the fight to Save Axminster Hospital
Save our
HOSPITAL BEDS
Is there a ‘hidden agenda’ to
close much needed facility?
the precise nature of the cover is unclear. This is
■ FROM PAGE 21
ster staff have been actively seeking new positions. yet another reason why we believe it is essential
You also stopped advertising full-time posts at that you keep inpatient beds at both Seaton and
Axminster six months ago. In spite of this hostile Axminster.
The staffing at both hospitals was satisfactory up
manning climate that you have created both hospitals continue to function safely even though there until September this year but the uncertainty over
the position of Axminster led to a dramatic change
is an increased reliance on agency staff. We do not see that with some additional detailed in staff morale and commitment. However this
management of staffing both hospitals should not has not affected the staffing fill rates significantly
remain safe for patients through the winter crisis for either Axminster or Seaton even though we acperiod. There is no evidence that a safety tipping knowledge that this may, at present, be attained
point has been reached where patients have been through agency staffing. This may not address the
total lone working issue but
placed at risk. In your reshows that staffing rates are
sponse to specific questions
Public opinion in both
able to be maintained and as
during the consultation period
you confirm that the situation
communities demon- such there should be nurses
available to fulfill the needs
is currently safe for patients.
strates solidarity and
to support both hospitals to
Surely now with increased
maintain the status quo until
commitment to the
focus by you in this area that
situation can be maintained community hospital. The the CCG has declared its
long term intentions.
until the CCG make their depassion and dedication
Public opinion in both comcision on the long term position of both facilities?
shown throughout this munities demonstrates soliand commitment to the
However, could it be that
consultation process in darity
community hospital. The
there is a hidden agenda here
whereby you are attempting both localities should not passion and dedication
to close the much valued and be brushed aside as a low shown throughout this consultation process in both lonecessary community facility
level consideration
calities should not be brushed
here in Axminster? We beaside as a low level considerlieve that unless you can show
that you have exhausted every avenue to specifi- ation. Feedback from those of the community that
cally recruit sufficient staff required to return have attended the consultation meetings has
Axminster to the bed numbers that existed before shown that they do not feel that they have been lisyour last round of ‘temporary’ reductions that the tened to and that you, the NDHT, are just going
only conclusion to be drawn is that you have de- through a process to get what you want. These
liberately engineered that situation for your own thoughts have been exacerbated throughout the pereasons that we believe are contrary to the needs riod with an unwillingness to discuss the options
of our communities. Why for instance have you of maintaining both hospitals and firm rebuttals
not established a peripatetic pool of nurses? We when questioned about detail regarding acuity and
know of nurses who used to work for the Devon staffing.
It is our opinion that you are exaggerating the
Bank, who would have worked in Axminster but
could not get work there when the old bank system safety issue to drive consolidation with no evistopped and have therefore found work elsewhere dence that lone working is a real problem. Consultation through the Community Hospitals
(Chard).
In your consultation document you claim you Association shows that lone working (1 RGN plus
have not ruled this out but the key question is why 2 N/A) at night is common place. The ratio of
have you not already taken action to do this. Your trained staff to patients is often 1-10 beds night.
inaction reflects an obvious prejudgment by the Other times it is 1 -8 at best. In addition we have
Trust to close Axminster with no meaningful at- established that there are as yet no guidelines issued by NICE regarding lone working in commutempt to be fair.
Medical cover by doctors is every bit as impor- nity hospitals.
Any plan that avoids the ‘temporary’ closure of
tant as nursing care. Currently Seaton and Axminster doctors cover their own patients in both Axminster must be affordable. On December 29th
hospitals. In Axminster this consists of daily visits consultation you volunteered that the delay to imincluding week-ends and Bank Holidays from ei- plementation of the bed closures at Axminster
ther their own GP or another from the practice. In meant that what may have been considered unafSeaton the GPs provide cover Monday to Friday. fordable back in November may be affordable
Both hospitals use DDOC doctors for ‘Out Of today as bed closures would now happen mid-JanHours’ emergency cover. This situation will uary at the earliest. The ‘temporary’ closure period
change should Axminster patients go to Seaton and
■ CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
❛
❜
■ FLASHBACK TO OCTOBER: Axminster Guildhall is packed for the public meeting to listen
to NHS plans to close in-patient beds with another 300 protesters locked out
The relentless logic of decline
Open letter to the Board of the North Devon
Heath Trust on behalf of Lyme Forward
ON January 7th the North Devon Heath Trust
(NDHT) will decide on the “temporary” transfer of inpatient beds from Axminster Hospital
to the community hospital at Seaton. For the
foreseeable future this will mean that patients from the Lyme Regis area will no longer
find a hospital bed on their doorstep.
The transfer has been described as “temporary” but there’s little doubt that it’s being
seen as a permanent solution to staffing
shortages and mounting Agency costs at
small hospitals such as Axminster and
Seaton.
But recent history teaches us something
about the relentless logic of decline. Any hospital which loses its inpatient beds immediately becomes more vulnerable to further
cuts and “rationalisations”. Until 2012 Axminster Hospital had 18 beds. This was cut to just
10 beds by 2013. Now they say it’s too small
and costly to be viable. By the end of January,
Axminster may have no beds at all.
We have not arrived at this sorry state by
accident - but by design. Axminster Hospital
is the victim of successive reductions to beds
in community hospitals. The paradox is that
whilst North Devon Health Trust is busily cutting bed numbers in its hospitals, other local
health chiefs are desperately trying to buy
more beds in the private sector to help ease
winter pressures. You couldn’t make it up.
Given the age profile and vulnerability of our
local population, and imminent council cuts to
social care budgets, this is not the time to
consider reducing or removing beds from a
busy, well-used community hospital. The recruitment of nursing staff is a national problem to be sure but the Trust has made the
local task so much harder by creating uncertainty around Axminster’s future. Who would
want to work for an organisation actively
planning to close its major services?
So, what’s the alternative? We have asked
the North Devon Health Trust to halt the
process of decline in its community hospitals
and retain the inpatient unit at Axminster
Hospital. For patients in and around Lyme
Regis, a community hospital should be precisely that – a local place, with beds for local
people, when they need them.
Julie Sheppard
Lyme Forward
Lyme Regis Local Area Partnership
Save our
HOSPITAL BEDS
Harness public
support in positive
manner ...but
don’t dismiss it!
■ FROM PAGE 22
would therefore probably only be about 14 weeks.
Therefore, an option now to keep both Axminster
and Seaton open until the CCG makes its decision
which would necessitate having two qualified staff
on duty 24/7 even though only 10 beds would be
operational at each hospital. This would be supported now by you using more agency staff.
You claim that you had only been made aware of
the Axminster League of Friends’ offer of financial
support on December 12th and that, had you been
made aware earlier, you would certainly have considered accepting some of the money on offer to
increase agency staff to provide two registered
nurses on duty at any one time until the CCG made
its decision. This is your Consultation Option 3
and we urge you to adopt this now as your preferred option.
We believe that this is a situation of your own
making and reflects very poor management of recruitment and retention and a lack of urgency to
address problems effectively by NDHT management. We have nonetheless presented above a feasible option that costs the trust nothing in
additional staff costs and avoids moving vulnerable patients at a time when they need stability of
care provision and retains community inpatient
beds at both towns until the CCG decision is made.
Should you however decide in spite of the arguments presented above to adopt Option 3 to keep
bed numbers the same, but increase staffing to two
registered nurses we believe that the decision to
choose to consolidate at Seaton is perverse for the
following reasons:
Facilities
THE upgraded in-patient facility at Axminster
Community Hospital is capable of accepting 20
beds without additional resources. Seaton is being
positioned as capable of accepting just 18 beds
with some refurbishment required.
The facilities at Axminster Hospital are superior
to those at Seaton – see Matron Janet Mackay’s report.
The on-site facilities of X-ray, physiotherapy and
mental health are readily available at Axminster to
support the in-patient bed requirements. Should
there be a call for these services through Seaton
then all patients will need to be transported to
Axminster with accompanying staff.
The extensive out-patient clinics offer further
support to the hospital in general with a weekly
visit from a consultant physician who supports the
in-patient ward. Another physician also attends
Seaton but does not support the in-patient beds. In
Axminster, due to the propensity of other specialist
clinics inpatients can often be seen for concurrent
problems without the need to travel to Exeter or
another hospital.
Extensive parking is available on the Axminster
site with additional space available through a public car park only 50 metres along the road on the
same side as the hospital. The Seaton car park has
only 50 per cent of the available space of Axminster with no additional parking available in the residential area surrounding the hospital.
Closing beds in Axminster leaves an active day
surgery , X-ray, physio and out patient clinic unit.
Closing beds in Seaton leaves a small physio dept
and one out patient clinic a week. Should this make
any difference to the decision as to which to close
if the closure is, as you claim, only temporary?
Staff Availability
THE data on your website does not support the
statements you have been making throughout the
consultation period. You have been expressing the
concerns regarding the availability of qualified
staff (RGN). We have heard your concerns regarding the use of agency staff however this is still a
sustainable position whilst long term plans are put
in place. Your data shows that for the period from August
to November this year (2014) Axminster Community Hospital had a fill rate of over 100 per cent for
both day and night shifts. Seaton on the other hand
shows fill rates as low as 84 per cent on certain day
shifts .
This would steer the option towards Axminster
as, based on the NDHT data, the staffing levels
achieved are already higher in Axminster than
Seaton.
Clinical Need
WE reject the clinical need as a legitimate differentiator between the two hospitals of Axminster
and Seaton. Whilst some data will show an enhanced clinical need for Seaton versus Axminster,
the needs across the communities remains much
the same.
NDHT’s assessment of need looks at ‘Dr Foster
data’, which is not really supposed to be used in
this way. The CCG have used data which reflects
disease incidence in the populations served by
Axminster and Seaton Hospitals. But in the case
of Axminster the CCG have chosen to ignore the
disease incidence of West Dorset, which is in the
catchment area of Axminster Hospital.
The CCG are due to represent their data shortly,
with updated figures. Measuring ‘need’ for hospital
beds is an unclear science but is probably better
done by looking at occupancy rates. As described
■ SUCH was the interest into the first public meeting that hundreds were locked out of the
Guildhall. The parish church was used as an overflow venue for the second meeting
in the NDHT consultation document this shows oc- IN SUMMARY therefore we strongly urge you to
cupancy of around 83 per cent in 2013 with 18 delay closing inpatient beds at either Seaton or
beds and 86 per vvcent now with 10 beds. 85 per Axminster until a long term decision has been
cent is the agreed target occupancy. So occupancy made by the NEW Devon CCG. During this time
was good in 2013 and it is good now in Axminster. we support continuing the safe staffing levels we
We therefore do not believe acuity figures should have at present. If you consider these inadequate
sway the decision either way except to show that we would ask you to be more pro-active and take
both Axminster and Seaton Hospitals require more positive management action to staff both Seaton
than 10 beds each.
and Axminster.
We, in Axminster, would help support this both
Public Opinion
financially and physically by providing funds for
THE public support for its community hospitals the staff required and help restarting the old Local
will be robust throughout the locality. However Bank nurse system to cover say Axminster, Seaton
from the numbers who have attended the public and also perhaps Sidmouth. We would hope that
meetings concerning the future of Axminster hosSeaton may well offer the same level of support if
pital and the 6,820 signatures on the petition to opit were presented with this proposal. If against all
pose the changes proposed it is clear that this is
of
the evidence presented you still insist in closing
seen as a major issue in this town. Harness this
support in a positive manner will only help in the beds in either Axminster or Seaton then Axminster
future. Dismissing the community and its passion should be the preferred choice to remain a centre
of excellence with a full complement of 20 beds.
will not.
We believe that the consultation has been
❛ neither
fair nor truly consultative and has
not fully considered the communities and
their needs. We have given you options that
would retain at the very least the status quo
until the longer term strategies are in place.
It would be inconsiderate to take any action
that would prejudice future decisions
in any way.
❜
Save our
HOSPITAL BEDS
Our hospital provides the highest level of care
Consultation Response from
Axminster Practice Participation Group
THE PPG members, both in our virtual and core
groups numbering approximately 35 people,
have spoken to many members within our community and have come together to give you our
view on your proposal to temporarily transfer
eight beds from Axminster to Seaton.
We understand and respect your concerns
about patient safety in your hospitals and can
see that from a Barnstaple perspective, being
cared for in Seaton Hospital doesn’t seem very
different from being in Axminster. We expect
that you may have been surprised that more
than 6,000 people have signed a petition telling
you that we don’t agree.
To us, being in a bed in Axminster Hospital
means that our friends and family can visit us
easily. Many of them do not have private transport and public transport to Seaton is irregular
and inconvenient. We also believe that our hospital is a centre of excellence with facilities,
services and general level of comfort that are
found in few such hospitals and certainly not in
Seaton.
Medical cover by doctors is every bit as important as nursing care as far as we are concerned.
Currently, Seaton and Axminster doctors cover
their own patients in both hospitals. In Axminster this consists of daily visits including weekends and Bank Holidays from either their own
GP or another from the Axminster Practice. In
Seaton the GPs provide cover Monday to Friday.
Both hospitals use DDOC doctors for ‘Out of
Hours’ emergency cover. The continuity provided by our own GPs looking after us in Axminster Hospital is very important and could be lost
in a move to Seaton.
Living in a community far from our nearest
large hospital means that we cannot easily access the services of a larger hospital. Community hospitals exist to mitigate this
disadvantage. When we are admitted to Axminster Hospital we choose to accept a different
level of care than that which would be provided
in RD&E or NDHT’s main hospitals. We expect
that you select patients to enable this to be safe.
We know for example that there are no resident
doctors and that out of hours a doctor may be
many miles away. In the same way we should be
entitled to accept that nursing levels may be
lower, although still safe. If there have been recent examples which show that current staffing
is unsafe then we ask you to share them as part
of your consultation.
Very unsettling period
It is ironic that the recommendations for larger
hospitals of the Francis report might cause the
beds in Axminster to be transferred since we can
assure you that Axminster has always provided
care which goes far beyond what is aspired to in
the recommendations. We could not imagine a
hospital with a better, kinder approach to patients for which of course we have to thank the
staff who have continued to provide the highest
levels of care throughout what must have been
for them a very unsettling period.
We urge you therefore not to allow a rigid approach to nursing staffing levels to close the
beds in our much loved hospital. Indeed, we are
surprised that you are still proposing such a
traumatic move for vulnerable patients to cover
a perceived gap over such a relatively short period – perhaps less than four months until the
PPG makes its long term decision on the future
of both hospitals. That decision could see you
moving patients back again to Axminster with
yet more unnecessary cost and disruption to
staff and patients.
We could perhaps understand you doing this if
you were considering a much longer period but
to take such drastic action for such a short period seems to make no sense whatsoever, especially as we believe that your Consultation
Option 3 is entirely feasible and would be supported financially by the Axminster Hospital
League of Friends if that was what was needed
to sway your decision.
We would therefore ask you to keep bed numbers the same at both Axminster and Seaton,
but increase staffing to two registered nurses
on duty at any one time until the CCG decision
has been made.
League of Friends: Closing beds is ‘going in the wrong direction’
Axminster Hospital League of Friends response
to the NDHT Consultation
THE League of Friends of Axminster Hospital has
represented the community in supporting Axminster Community Hospital for many years. The reputation of the hospital is magnificent with many
commendations from past and recent patients,
commenting on the level of care given by both the
nursing staff and the GPs who regularly visit during their stay in the hospital. The familiarity of
knowing that you are in local surroundings must
release stress and thereby aid recovery.
The closure of the in-patient beds at Axminster,
albeit temporary in your documentation and communication, is the wrong direction for ensuring the
best level of care is given to the people of Axminster and the surrounding parishes.
This does not imply that Seaton Hospital should
lose its beds to Axminster but that this shortsighted view of the community will lead to increased issues regarding bed availability, across
the whole locality, in the future.
We fully understand your stance regarding lone
working and would not wish to support a solution
that affects staff or patient safety in any way.
Our reasons for stating that the decision is the
wrong direction are:
Occupancy Rates and Bed Blocking - Data is
available showing that there are more patients requiring discharge from RD&E than there are beds
available. On average, looking at just the over 80
year olds awaiting discharge from the RD&E,
there have beensix each day for the last 12 months
from the Axminster region and nine from the
Seaton region. Your own data shows that with 18
beds there was an average occupancy of 83 per
cent, with 12 beds occupancy rose to 87 per cent
and at 10 beds occupancy is 91per cent. Good
practice would suggest that an occupancy rate of
around 85 per cent would allow for some contingency and also aid the reduction of the burden on
the RD&E. Extrapolating your data would show
that the optimum number of beds would be between 15 and 16. This then would be ideal for a
two shift system thereby eradicating the lone
working issue. Your management stated in December 2014 that patients were unable to be released
from the RD&E due to bed unavailability.
Bed reduction Numbers - You have stated on numerous occasions that you are applying this temporary move in the direction of the TCS proposal
from the NEW Devon CCG. This document does
propose the move from Axminster to Seaton and
is based on a bed population increase to 24. You
are taking the current bed population across the
two hospitals of 20 and reducing this to 18 with
no hard evidence to show how you will cater for
the already insufficient needs. Over the last two
years you have reduced the bed numbers from 18
to 12 and now 10. This has surely gone too far as
stated in 1 above, there are patients tied up in the
RD&E with no beds available in either Axminster
or Seaton.
Therefore with the information in both 1 and 2
above, Option 2, “Increase bed numbers to 18 at
both hospitals and increase nurse staffing to ensure
no lone-working” of your consultation document
would need to be followed.
Provision of support from the League - As a
League we have provided names of volunteers
who are willing to support the hospital in its current state until the final decision has been made by
the CCG in the first quarter of 2015. Your feedback is that they cannot be volunteers and need to
be employed. This is another barrier to maintaining the status quo. The league has also offered significant funds to support in this staffing issue.
Insufficient effort on recruitment - You have
quoted staffing and recruitment as one of the main
issues driving the change. Two people on the community have contacted agencies who would be
more than willing to supply to the NHS but at pres-
ent do not do so. When asked if they could provide
cover of say three months night working, they
were told categorically that this is the type of employment their agency staff are looking for. As
such we do not feel that every avenue has been explored fully to avoid the disruption you are planning to cause.
The nursing staff are not as happy as you say Many members of the League are close to many
of the nurses. You are quoting nurses as being
happy with the changes and seeing it as an opportunity to do something different. Unfortunately, we
cannot name the nurses, but can state that it is the
majority, who are extremely unhappy with the
change. The reason for not naming them is that
they are frightened of losing their jobs should their
names come to the fore.
Underutilisation of an updated facility – The
League made an investment just five years ago to
improve the in-patient facility, to the tune of some
£2-2.5million. You are talking about having to invest in another hospital to bring their facilities up
to scratch when the Axminster facility is already
available to accept a 20 bed facility.
Working on the wrong data - The demographic
data supplied by the CCG in September has been
challenged and found to be inadequate and as such
they are revisiting their proposals. It does not make
good business sense to follow a path rigidly when
the core driver of the initial change is having doubt
regarding the decision. Surely the correct decision
is to manage any risk through alternative methods
until the final decision has been made.
This has not come across as a true consultation
- As a community we are entirely in the hands of
the commissioners and the service providers regarding the provision of healthcare. However as
tax payers we are as much your paymasters as anyone else and as such should therefore have a sig-
nificant voice in decisions being made. From the
consultation events in December, the posting of
the comments made at these events has been very
slow, there has not been a conciliatory approach
of listening but every opportunity taken by NDHT
staff to rebut any comment made by a member of
the public. Requested information promised one
week has not been forthcoming and in many cases
needed to be requested the following week. In the
case of staffing levels at both hospitals, this request was made over three times and the individual
has again responded to you (NDHT) in writing requesting that you fulfil your commitment to answer fully, his question.
Consolidate around your centre of excellence If there is to be consolidation and it is to be Seaton
or Axminster then the best business option would
be to consolidate around your centre of excellence.
The report from Janet McKay and statements from
others clearly shows that with the extensive outpatients clinics, mental health, physiotherapy, Xray and ultrasound,
Axminster would be considered the centre of excellence with Seaton having very little if not none
of the extra facilities. A further reason for using
Axminster is that it would easily take the 20 beds
without any further change (structural changes for
facilities needed at Seaton to accommodate 18
beds) thereby maintaining at the very least the status quo regarding bed numbers.
As a group we are unanimous in our support of
Option 3 within the NDHT consultation document
“Keep bed numbers the same, but increase staffing
to two registered nurses on duty at any one time”.
Your comments state all the reasons why not and
nothing as to why this options would benefit especially while the CCG deliberate on the longer
term.
We trust that you will raise these issues with your
board on January 7th 2015 giving full consideration to the strength of feeling and support within
the community.
Four page supplement on the fight to Save Axminster Hospital
The Paper Shop
AXMINSTER
Hospital beds fiasco:
apology from the NHS
Tel: 01404 41222
View Family
Announcements
HAPPY 40TH
BIRTHDAY
Michelle Macdonald
FOR THE 9TH DECEMBER
NOTHING CHANGES,
ENJOY YOUR DAY
LOVE MUM & DAD XX
1lb 4oz MAKING GOOD PROGRESS
ALEXANDER JOHN BORD
WISHING HIM WELL
THANK YOU TO ALL THE DOCTORS & NURSES AT
JOHN RADCLIFFE HOSPITAL OXFORD
FROM GRANDPARENTS
JIM & VIERA BORD
DOROTHY QUICK
HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY
ON THE 13TH DECEMBER
TO A WONDERFUL MUM & NAN
LOTS OF LOVE
FROM ALL THE FAMILY XXXXXXX
Richard HobsoN
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY
MUM
ON THE 9TH DECEMBER
LOTS OF LOVE
SOPHIE & JAMIE XXXX
RICHARD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAVE A FAB DAY
LOTS OF LOVE
ANN, HEIDI & RYAN XXX
ON THE 15TH DECEMBER 2014
WITH LOTS OF LOVE
TONY, ANITA & ELLIE XX
aUntie mIcHelLe
LOTS OF LOVE
HATTIE, CRAIG &
WILSON XXX
Lot Of Love Charlie Toby
Marie And Mat xx
Happy 40TH Birthday
Dec 9th Have a Great Day
WITH LOTS OF LOVE IAN XX
AXMINSTER Hospital Action Group has praised all
those who played a part in making Northern Devon
Healthcare NHS Trust halt plans to close in-patient
beds in the town for the winter season.
As reported last week, NDHT suddenly said it
would consult on plans to temporarily close in-patient
beds at Axminster Hospital and move them to Seaton
Hospital.
A surprise statement was issued by NDHT on Monday December 1st, saying: “NDHT has halted its decision to temporarily move in-patient services at
Axminster to Seaton and has today launched a fourweek public consultation (December 2nd-30th) over
whether the transfer should take place.
“The trust is also commissioning an independent review of the safety of staffing in Axminster Community Hospital.
“The review’s findings will be available in time for
the end of the consultation.”
In October NDHT announced a plan to temporarily
merge the beds at Seaton to resolve significant patient safety risks at both sites.
The risks centre on having rotas where there is only
one registered nurse working on their own as the sole
professional looking after up to 10 patients. This was
highlighted as a concern by the Care Quality Commission following its inspection of the trust in July
2014.
NDHT also identified a further risk that because of
the national shortage of registered nurses, it is overly
reliant on agency nurses and is often on the cusp of
not being able to sustain the nursing rota at Axminster
and Seaton.”
The temporary closure is a separate matter to NEW
Devon Clinical Commissioning Groups’ proposal to
permanently transfer all the Axminster in-patient beds
to Seaton. But it proved equally unpopular in Axminster, so much so that one patient reportedly hired solicitors.
A statement issued by Axminster Hospital Action
Group on December 1st said: “NDHT informed solicitors for a local patient, who had threatened them
with a judicial review, that they have rescinded their
decision “temporarily’’ to close the in-patient beds at
Axminster Hospital from January 1st 2015.
“This was, as everyone knows, never a ‘temporary’
decision.As a community we cautiously welcome this
announcement. We call on the trust to make the position clear to all the nurses and staff that their jobs are
save, at least for the present.”
“The League of Friends and Axminster Hospital
Action Group would like to thank everyone who has
played their part in putting pressure on the NDHT to
reverse their decision.
“The letters, e-mails and other actions have helped
greatly in showing the level of support and commitment there is for Axminster Community Hospital.
“The League of Friends and the action group are
now seeking a meeting with NDHT to try to agree a
plan for long-term support for in-patient beds at
Axminster Hospital.
“Whilst this is a welcome first step, the campaign
to persuade the CCG to drop its flawed plans to remove inpatient beds from Axminster Community
Hospital continues.
“The public meeting at the Guildhall in Axminster
showed the community did not agree with the proposal to close Axminster’s in-patient beds.”
NDHT chief executive Dr Alison Diamond
said:“We acted in good faith when making our initial
decision in October to temporarily merge in-patient
services at Seaton in the new year. However, since
then it has become apparent from the correspondence
and conversations at the Monday drop-ins that there
is a great deal of confusion about the proposals and
that we needed to do more to involve people in the
decision we were making.
“On behalf of the trust I would like to apologise to
the community and encourage people to participate
in our consultation on whether temporarily merging
inpatient services at Seaton is the best course of action.”
The proposal under consultation is that inpatient
beds at Axminster are transferred to Seaton to offer
18 beds serving both communities rather than 10 in
each hospital.
A public meeting will be held in January 2015 to
discuss the feedback from the consultation.
Dr Diamond added: “I can assure you we will listen
to every single view expressed and these will be used
to inform the final decision.”
The consultation paper is available on the trust website at www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk/consultation
and hard copies can be collected from receptions at
Axminster and Seaton hospitals.
In addition, there will be consultation meetings
from 2pm to 4pm at the hospital on December 15th,,
22nd and 29th (all Mondays).
CAROL CLARK Stalemate over new football ground
Happy 50th Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Michelle
Have A Great Day
HAPPY 40TH
BIRTHDAY
MICHELLE
LOVE FROM
THE GIRLS XXXX
Message.............................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................
■ FROM PAGE ONE
The club maintains Devonshire Homes should have
paid for the connection in March but this was not
done until September.
Devonshire Homes say they have paid £45,000 to
South West Water for this work but the club has been
informed that this will not happen until February.
Devonshire Homes have issued a statement saying
that the work has cost more than the £1.1 million expected, £450,000 more according to club sources.
The situation is further exacerbated by an alleged
refusal by Devonshire Homes to meet with the club
to solve the problem.
Club chairman Ray Self, the driving force behind
the project, told Pulman’s View: “They have refused
to meet us face-to-face and have stopped work.”
Mr Self claims that the extras that Devonshire
Homes are asking are the developers responsibility.
The statement from Steve Russell, managing director of Devonshire Homes, said: “We are building a
first class facility for Axminster Town AFC and remain committed to delivering one of the finest football facilities in the region. This has cost considerably
more than originally anticipated, but we have not
shirked from our responsibilities to deliver what the
contract required.
“Unfortunately, the completion of the clubhouse has
been delayed by drainage connection issues. Devonshire Homes paid £45,000 in September for South
West Water to carry out the drainage connection, but
we are not in a position to accelerate the works as we
are tied to South West Water’s schedule. We are paying the club £2,000 per month during the delay.
“We are absolutely committed to the completion of
the ground and clubhouse. We are sorry for the delay
but we are legally unable to achieve practical com-
pletion until this drainage work is carried out, given
that Axminster Town AFC chose earlier this year to
have the clubhouse and ground delivered together.
We expect completion to happen early next year.
“We understand why the delay is causing frustration, but we also believe that the situation has been
misrepresented on social media. Again, Devonshire
Homes is honouring the terms of our contract with
Axminster Town AFC. We hope that this statement
will help to clarify matters and put an end to inaccurate claims and speculation.”
Mr Self answered the statement in a lengthy posting
on the Axminster Town Facebook page in which he
said the club had never questioned the quality of the
facilities that Devonshire Homes are developing but
claimed that the statement was not “entirely accurate
as to the contract”.
Mr Self’s statement contuinued: “The delay on the
completion of the clubhouse due to the foul sewer
drainage connection is due to the late application and
payment by you. They originally applied for this in
March of this year and received a response from
SWW but the payment for it was not made until September. The delay in making the payment is the reason as to why the clubhouse is not completed.
“We have a completion date for the drainage connection from SWW of February 2nd 2015 at the latest. The club are trying to get you to complete the site
development but you are stating that this will not be
done until agreement is reached over the additional
costs. Your failure to meet with the club to discuss
this, however, will not allow the site to be completed.”
Mr Self’s full statement can be seen on
Axminster Town’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/AxTownFC
AXMINSTER
Entente cordiale
at Christmas
Four members of the Axminster Twinning
Association recently spent three days in
France at the invitation of the Calvados Council
Twinning Department.
Jeremy White (flute) Sally Kirby (clarinet)
Jane Godbeer ( oboe) and Peter Dawson (bassoon and narrator) were asked to present ‘’An
English Christmas”.
Local Twinning Associations were approached to host a concert -two were found Falaise-Henley on Thames and Fontenay le
Marmion- Chulmleigh.
Both towns provided audiences of between
70 and 100 people. one included the French
take on an English tea.
The grande finale was a performance in the
Chateau de Benouville ( where visiting heads
of state are entertained) with a full house and
vin chaud to follow.
Gifts from Carpets
AxMinSTEr Carpets shop and showroom will
be open until 8pm on Wednesday December
10th, offering free mince pies and mulled wine
plus a 10 per cent discount on everything in
store that day (including Christmas gifts from
Pittards leather and Axminster Carpets own
extensive rug collections).
The Axminster Carpets team will also be on
hand to answer questions and give advice on
carpet care and spillages over the festive season.
Shop manager Gerald Gadsden said: “This is a
great opportunity to say thank you to our loyal
customers as well as meet some new faces."
The shop and showroom is in Musbury road,
Axminster.
Timpson’s proposals for Tesco car
park worry local business owners
A JOINT venture between Tesco and Timpson businesses could pose a serious threat to Axminster town
centre businesses.
The proposal would see a cabin or pod being built
in the Tesco car park from which Timpson would
offer dry cleaning, shoe repairs, key cutting, jewellery repairs, watch repairs, engraving etc.
A planning application is going through the system
and Axminster Town Council has recommended refusal, saying the proposal contravenes terms of the
original planning approval for the Tesco store.
Shoe Mate owner Terry Barker is the one likely to
be worst hit if the proposal materialises, and he is not
happy.
Mr Barker has traded for more than 15 years in the
town centre and said: "I'm not happy at all. It could
mean the end of my business."
Allendale Cleaners in South Street has offered dry
cleaning since the early 1990s, and the proposal is a
worry.
Business owner Selvaraj Kannan said he would go
and state his case should the application be heard by
East Devon District Council's Development Management Committee, adding: "We worry and, at the end
of the day, it would affect smaller local businesses but can you swim against the tide?
"It is down to you to look after your customers."
The planning and design statement of the planning
application said: "It is the experience of Timpson's
that, due to the nature and value of uses that they provide, they are not a destination store in their own right
and rely heavily on existing footfall to be viable.
"The current application has not been subject to a
public consultation or local community involvement
because the scheme proposes one small cabin.
"The proposal has, however, been subject to consultation at board level within Tesco and Timpson."
Advertiser’s Announcement
The Friends of Axmouth Church present
Christmas Tree
Festival 2014
THE Christmas Tree Festival
was started back in 2012 to
raise funds for repairs to the
building of our church in
Axmouth. We can proudly
say that, with a great deal of
local support, enough money
has been raised by the Friends
to have the main Church
building repaired during last
summer.
We now move to Phase 2,
repairs to the tower, which
also requires urgent attention.
This year’s Festival will be
entitled “The Twelve Days of
Christmas”. There will again
be around twenty-six decorated trees of various sizes.
The village people and many
organisations take part in both
sponsoring and decorating
trees.
The Festival commences on
Friday evening 12th December at 7pm, with the opening
night classic show ‘Anne of
Green Gables’ by Axmouth
Childrens’ Theatre. Tickets
£10 adults, £5 children under
16, to include cheese and
wine in the village hall after
the show. Contact Dorris on
01297 23847 to book.
The Festival then commences in the Church until
23rd December, 11am until
6pm daily, (or by arrangement
outside these times.)
Why not come along to see
our wonderful Christmas display. There is no charge for
entry, though any donations
will be greatly appreciated.
Wishing you all a Merry
Christmas and a Happy
New Year from the Friends
of Axmouth Church.
Axminster Town Council has recommended refusal, saying the application "contravenes condition
5 of the original application for this store, relating to
protection of the viability of existing town centre
businesses."
The town council also stated: "To the best of the
town council's knowledge, this condition was not
time-limited and has not been rescinded by subsequent applications."
Condition 5 of the original planning application referred to the net retail area of the food store, stating
it should primarily be used for "the purposes of the
sale of retail food and convenience goods and shall
not, except for 10 per cent of the net retail area, be
used for the sale of comparison goods or for any other
retail purpose".
There is no mention of the car park, but condition
5 was implemented to "enable the local planning authority to control the development in the interests of
protecting the viability of the town centre".
East Devon District Council will make a decision
in due course.
Gifts galore at hospital fair
Organisers hope for a big turnout and a good
time when axminster Hospital holds their
Christmas Fair on saturday December 13th. The
fair will be held at the hospital from 2pm to
4pm, and will raise money for the Conybeare
and Willow centres for older people with dementia and memory problems. The event will
include handmade Christmas gifts, decorations
and produce, mince pies, mulled wine, a raffle,
tombola, a performance by st Mary’s Primary
school Choir at 3pm and much more. entry is
free. Pictured are hospital support workers
Patsy Westworth, sam Over, Jeanette Ward
and team leader gaynor appleby.
asTHE FRIENDS OF AXMOUTH CHURCH
m
t
s
i
r
C
TREE
FESTIVAL
St Michael ’s Church, Axmou
OPEN DAILY 11AM - 6PM, 13TH TO 23RD DECEMBER 2014
(or by arrangement outside these times)
Friday 12th December, 6.30 - 7pm
Wednesday 17th December, 6.30pm
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
LAMPLIT CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Performed by ACT 2
Wine and nibbles in the Village Hall
following the performance.
Tickets £10 (£5 for children)
from Doris 01297 23847
Tuesday 16th December, 12.30pm
Please join us for a ‘Lamplit Carols’ procession
through the village, starting at The Forge.
Join in anywhere en-route. (Please bring
your own lamps/torches) Followed by mince
pies and mulled cider and community
singing in the church.
COLYTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL Tuesday 18th December, 2.30pm
GREGORIAN CHANTING
CHAMBER CHOIR
Light lunch available in the Village Hall
after the performance.
Friday 19th December, 7.30pm
AXE VALLEY COMMUNITY
CHOIR CONCERT
CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday 14th - 4pm
Traditional service of readings & carols
Sunday 21st-10am
All ages Christmas Communion
Christmas Eve
Crib Service- 3pm
Christmas Eve Communion- 9pm
Christmas Day - 10am
For further event details please call Ann Harding on 01297 624323 or Doris Clement on 01297 23847

Axminster - Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust NDHT

Transcription

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